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Iowa City Research Center Transition: Updates and Timeline
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The Iowa City Research Center closed to the public on December 31, 2025. The State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) continues to provide updates about the Iowa City Centennial Building, its collections, research access, and the ongoing legal proceedings concerning the facility.
This page provides a chronological record of significant developments related to the transition. Some dates and actions originally anticipated as part of the transition have changed due to litigation and court orders. We will continue to update this page as new information becomes available.
Current Status
Collections and Centennial Building
SHSI staff continue to monitor, protect, and preserve the State's collections housed at the Centennial Building. This includes maintaining the building and monitoring its HVAC systems, life-safety and security equipment, and general storage environment.
All collection relocation efforts remain on hold pursuant to the temporary injunction issued by the Johnson County District Court on October 23, 2025.
September 25, 2026: Notice of Appeal Filed
The State of Iowa Attorney General's Office filed a notice of appeal of the Johnson County District Court's September 17, 2026, ruling concerning the closure of the Iowa City Centennial Building.
The appeal will proceed to the Iowa Supreme Court, which may retain the case or assign it to an appellate court. The legal proceedings are ongoing.
September 17, 2026: Johnson County District Court Ruling
The Johnson County District Court ruled in favor of the petitioners in the lawsuit challenging the closure of the Iowa City Centennial Building.
Among its findings, the Court concluded that:
- The Department of Administrative Services (DAS) violated Iowa Code §8A.707 by deciding to close the Iowa City research center without providing a replacement research facility in Iowa City.
- The Court concluded that DAS has an obligation to maintain a research center in Iowa City and that the statute does not permit DAS to satisfy that obligation by having another entity maintain the research center.
The Court directed DAS and the opposing counsel to meet within 30 days to reach an agreement regarding next steps for the Iowa City facility.
July 1, 2026: Planned Transfer of Building Management
The original transition plan anticipated management of the Iowa City Centennial Building transferring to the University of Iowa on July 1, 2026, pursuant to the April 12, 1956, agreement between the State and the University of Iowa.
The planned transfer did not proceed as anticipated because of the temporary injunction issued by the Johnson County District Court and the ongoing litigation concerning the closure of the Iowa City Research Center.
June 30, 2026: Planned Collection Transfer Deadline
The original transition plan identified June 30, 2026, as the deadline for transferring collections to other repositories. Any items not transferred by that date were planned to be relocated to the Des Moines Research Center.
The planned collection transfers did not proceed as anticipated because of the temporary injunction issued by the Johnson County District Court. Collection relocation efforts remain on hold pursuant to the injunction.
Johnson County District Court Temporary Injunction
The State Historical Society of Iowa continues to comply with the temporary injunction issued by the Johnson County District Court on October 23, 2025. The injunction prohibits the removal of additional documents, artifacts, or related collection materials from the Iowa City facility.
December 31, 2025: Iowa City Research Center Closed to the Public
The Iowa City Research Center closed to the public at the end of December 2025.
- Requests for collections access should be directed to [email protected].
- Due to the temporary injunction issued by the Johnson County District Court on October 23, 2025, no additional collections may be removed from the Iowa City facility.
- SHSI staff make every reasonable effort to provide collections access to researchers, students, and the public through the Des Moines Research Center or other partner repositories, as appropriate.
October 23, 2025: Temporary Injunction Issued
The Johnson County District Court issued a temporary injunction that stopped further removal of collections from the Iowa City facility.
Collection relocation efforts have remained on hold pursuant to the injunction.
October 2025: Collection Relocations Begin
Collection relocation efforts began in October 2025 as part of the planned transition from Iowa City to Des Moines and other repositories.
Collections remained available at both research centers, except for materials being prepared for relocation or in transit. Researchers were asked to schedule in-person visits at least three days in advance so staff could help arrange onsite access to collections.
Materials identified for relocation included:
- Microfilmed newspapers from communities F–Z
- Iowa City newspapers on microfilm were to remain in Iowa City.
- State Historical Society of Iowa administrative records, 1857–1970
- WWII newspaper clippings
- Non-Iowa history books and journals
The Johnson County District Court subsequently issued a temporary injunction on October 23, 2025, stopping further removal of collections from the Iowa City facility.
Access to Research Materials in Iowa City
Request Process and Hours
List items for Research Materials in Iowa City Request Process and Hours
The State Historical Society of Iowa maintains its historical research center in Iowa City by agreement with the University of Iowa. The university is making space available at the Special Collections and Archives Reading Room located in the Main Library. Effective July 1, 2026: The agreement has been extended into FY 2027 with automatic annual renewals running through the end of FY 2029.
- The request process is similar to how an interlibrary facility loan works and managed by the State Historical Society of Iowa.
- Review the State Historical Society of Iowa website and collections catalog to identify items or collections that you want to research in person. Note: Due to the October 23, 2025 temporary injunction issued by the Johnson County District Court, no collections housed at the Centennial Building can be removed from that facility. The only collections currently eligible are those housed at the State Historical Building in Des Moines, Iowa.
- Send your request and questions to State Historical Society of Iowa staff at [email protected].
- State Historical Society of Iowa staff will evaluate and respond within 5 business days to discuss your request and coordinate all the details including transport to the University of Iowa Main Library and dates when the collections will be available for in-person research.
- Following the completion of research within the agreed upon dates, the collections that were researched will be transported back by State Historical Society of Iowa staff into collection storage at the State Historical Society of Iowa in Des Moines.
- Collections will be available on the agreed upon dates and times for in-person research at the University of Iowa Main Library in its Special Collections and Archives Reading Room.
- The Reading Room is located on the 3rd floor, Room 3060. From 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday–Friday and closed university holidays. Please visit the University Libraries’ Special Collections and Archives Reading Room policies webpage.
State of Iowa Collections Responsibilities
The State Historical Society of Iowa is legally required under Iowa Code 8A.701 to manage the collections held at the Iowa City branch as part of its public trust responsibilities to Iowans. Mass disposal of collections will not occur. Decisions about which collections will move to the Des Moines branch and which may be transferred to other institutions will follow all applicable state rules, policies, and current professional standards and ethics, including Iowa Administrative Rule 223.13 (6).
In addition, the State Historical Society, Inc. (SHS, Inc.) will be consulted and given the opportunity to advise the State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) on any transfer proposals for collections accessioned at the Iowa City branch—including those acquired before January 1, 1974—per the August 4, 1983 agreement between the State Historical Society of Iowa Trustees and SHS, Inc.
Back to topCollections Management, Relocation and Transfers
The State Historical Society of Iowa will continue to collect new and manage existing history collections from across the State of Iowa, including Johnson County and the Iowa City area.
All collections will be relocated to the Des Moines branch. However, any collection before or after its relocation that meets certain criteria outlined in administrative rule may be transferred to another institution or deaccessioned. Deaccessioning is the official process to remove item(s) from the listed holdings of the state's collection.
How Collections Are Managed, Relocated, and Transferred
As part of our responsibility to preserve Iowa’s history, SHSI follows professional standards to manage and, when appropriate, relocate or reappraise collections. All collections from the Iowa City branch will move to Des Moines unless they meet official criteria for deaccessioning. Below is an overview of when and why items may be considered for deaccession.
Examples include:
- Duplicate materials
- Items outside the SHSI collecting plan
- Materials without clear Iowa provenance
- Items with little or no contextual connection to Iowa history or to major historical events (regional, national, or international) affecting its citizens
- Materials converted into another widely available format preserved elsewhere
In these cases, SHSI will assess the item’s condition and availability elsewhere in Iowa and the U.S. before taking action.
- If an item presents a danger (such as pests or mold), SHSI evaluates the threat and checks availability elsewhere before making a decision.
- After reappraisal, some items may be determined to fit better with another educational or collecting institution.
- Before transfer, items must be formally deaccessioned in accordance with state rules and professional ethics.
How the Deaccession and Transfer Process Works
We follow a careful, step-by-step process to ensure that any item considered for deaccession is reviewed thoroughly, with opportunities for advisor and public input. Each stage follows established professional standards, state rules, and Board of Trustees oversight.
- Identify collection series or items that may meet deaccession criteria and conduct a reappraisal.
- Review all relevant legal documentation (donation files, accession logs, deeds of gift, etc.).
- Consider donor or descendant intent in the event of a possible deaccession, if known.
- Identify and contact potential repositories that might accept a transfer.
- Staff discusses the potential deaccession and transfer with the State Archivist.
- The State Archivist may convene a public meeting of advisors.
- Advisors would provide input on both the merits of a specific deaccession and the suitability of the proposed transfer institution (if known).
- Members of the public are welcome to attend and listen to the discussion.
- The State Archivist may place the proposal on the staff collections committee agenda.
- Note: Initial proposals are for discussion only.
- If the committee supports moving forward, the State Archivist will post a Notice of Intent to Deaccession on the SHSI website.
- At the next meeting, the staff collections committee will vote to either advance or reject the proposal.
- The SHSI Board of Trustees Collections Committee considers the deaccession proposal in a public meeting and votes on whether to recommend approval.
- If approved, the full SHSI Board of Trustees reviews and votes on the deaccession proposal in its public meeting.
- If approved by the full Board of Trustees:
- Staff begin working with the identified organization to arrange the physical transfer.
- If an alternate or alternative outcome for the deaccessioned collection is approved, staff will proceed with that decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding the Transition: Your Questions Answered
Have questions about the Iowa City Research Center closure and collections transition? We’ve gathered the top questions and answers to help explain what’s happening, why, and what it means for public access. Check back for updates as the process moves forward.
In May 2025, the State Historical Society of Iowa learned of a budget shortfall. To preserve collections and continue serving Iowans statewide, the State of Iowa decided to consolidate research services in Des Moines.
Yes. With a $5 million storage modernization project scheduled for completion in 2026, the State Historical Building will provide over 35,000 linear feet of space—enough to house the Iowa City collections and allow for future growth.
Yes. All State Historical Society of Iowa facilities meet or exceed professional standards for security, temperature, and humidity control. During the transition, some collections may be stored with approved partners but will remain safe and accessible.
No items will simply be thrown away. Collections not transferred to partner repositories by June 30, 2026 will be relocated to Des Moines. Items reappraised as outside the Historical Society of Iowa's collecting mission will undergo an industry-standard, professional review process before possible deaccessioning. When that occurs, the Historical Society makes every effort to transfer materials to other public institutions with public trust responsibility. The State Historical Society of Iowa has no intention of selling items to private buyers.
Books and materials directly related to Iowa history will be preserved. Duplicate titles, out-of-state publications, and outdated reference works may be reappraised for possible deaccessioning using professional standards.
Yes. The shelving project will begin in fall 2025 and finish in fall 2026. Throughout the project, collections will remain safe, though access to some materials may be more limited. By October 2026, all collections will be housed at the State Historical Building and fully accessible in Des Moines.
Yes. The State Historical Society of Iowa has 25 permanent staff members, including librarians, archivists, historians, collections managers, and additional team members, with more than 250 years of combined professional experience.
All special collections will be preserved by the State Historical Society of Iowa and accessible to the public at the Iowa History Research Center at the State Historical Building in Des Moines. If a special collection is reappraised, deaccessioned and transferred to another institution, we will share those details including the new repository location with the public.
No. Iowa’s newspapers remain the State Historical Society of Iowa's holdings and are digitized in partnership with Advantage Archives. County records remain in the legal custody of each of Iowa’s respective 99 counties. The Historical Society continues to support Iowa Counties to preserve these records in partnership with FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com to ensure long-term public access.
The Research Center in Des Moines will remain open to the public, with collections preserved and accessible so future generations can study and learn from Iowa’s history. Many materials—including photographs, documents, and government records—are already digitized and available for researchers to access from home. We will continue to expand these online collections in the months and years ahead.
Learn more about what’s available by visiting our collections page.
Supporting Iowa History
Iowa’s history belongs to all of us across all of Iowa's 99 counties. Together we can ensure history continues to inspire future generations. If you’d like to be part of this work—by volunteering, advocating, donating, becoming a member, or supporting in other ways—please visit our Support page to learn how you can help keep Iowa History alive for future generations.
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