Reference Requests
The Library & Archives Research Center staff can assist you if you are unable to visit a Research Center to conduct your work in person. Please use the Reference Request Form for the following services:
- Ask general questions about how to use the Research Centers.
- Ask specific questions about Iowa history and the Library and Archives collections.
- Request reproductions of specific documents and images from the collections.
Library and Archives staff are not able to provide any general, complex or broad-based reference services. To answer these types of questions, you should visit one of the Research Centers in person or consult the list of independent researchers. Any independent researcher agreement must be solely between you and the independent researcher.
Fulfilling Your Request
After submitting the Reference Request Form our staff will contact you. You will be notified if the information you are seeking cannot be found. You, or a representative on your behalf, may need to visit a Research Center in person to conduct research.
- Reference Fees – If your request requires more than 30 minutes to fulfill, additional charges may be incurred starting at $20.00. You will be provided with a cost estimate to approve prior to our staff beginning the work. Included in the fee are up to 10 complimentary photocopies and shipping.
- View details about copy and image reproduction pricing.
- The reference fee applies even if the information you are seeking cannot be found.
- Additional Charges – Additional charges may be incurred if extra or specialized work is associated with your request including, but not limited to, more photocopies, photographs and document scans.
- Payment – Do not send payment until you are requested to do so by the staff. All payments are required in advance before work begins on your request.
Staff are unable to fulfill a reference request in the following instances:
- When release of information or materials are restricted by United States copyright, Federal or State law or donor agreements.
- When equipment to reproduce the material(s) is not available.
- When the condition of the material(s) is fragile.
Additional Services
- State vital record reproductions
- Digital reproductions of Iowa World War I casualty photographs
- State open public record requests
- Interlibrary loan of newspapers and other material on microfilm
Independent Researchers
Library and Archives staff are not able to provide any general, complex or broad-based reference services. To answer these types of questions, you should visit one of the Research Centers in person or consult the list of independent researchers. Any independent researcher agreement must be solely between you and the independent researcher.
