The records of the League of Women Voters of Iowa date from 1917 to 2001 and measure 101.5 linear feet. The original accession was made in 1971, with subsequent accessions in 1975, 1981, 1984, 1989 and each year between 1994 and 2000. The League records contain annual reports, records of state and national conventions, correspondence, newsletters, newspaper clippings, minutes and other records relating to the program activities of the League.

1994 ACCESSION

The 1994 accession records date from 1946 to 1991 (bulk 1960 to 1991) and measure 23.25 linear feet. The records are arranged in seven series: Administrative, Citizens Information Service, Government, Human resources, Local chapters, Voters service, and Miscellaneous programs. This collection documents the activities of an organization that seeks to promote a more informed and politically involved voting populace. The collection consists mostly of the study and action programs conducted by the League of Women Voters of Iowa, as found in the Government, Human resources, Voters service and Miscellaneous programs series.

The Administrative series (1946-1989) contains the records of the Development Committee and Development Director, who are responsible for general League fundraising and helping manage program budgets. At the annual state conventions, members gather to discuss the progress of League study and action on adopted issues, future plans, bylaws revisions, finances, and other relevant administrative topics.

The programs conducted by the Citizens Information Service (1972-1984) are most often the educational components of larger areas of study. For example, the "Save Our Soil" billboards, the "I-SAVE" program, and the Environmental Protection Agency grant-Dickinson County program promoted the League positions on aspects of natural resources. The speeches delivered at the "Agriculture's Stake in World Trade" conference of 1984 are preserved on audiocassettes.

The League's study of Government (1955-1990) includes the Iowa's Constitutional reform, the Iowa State Legislature, reapportionment, as well as state government issues of public taxes and public education.

The Human resources series (1966-1984) contains the records of League work relating to social issues such as equal opportunity in education and employment, housing rights and women's issues, among others.

The League of Women Voters of Iowa is divided by city or county into twenty-one Local chapters (1960-1991), which span the entire state geographically. Each chapter published a newsletter called the Voter, as well as records of projects developed on the local level. Partial runs of the local newsletters are included in this series.

With the Voters service (1973-1985), the League seeks to educate citizens on aspects of voting via such activities as candidates' debates, seminars and public service announcements.

The Miscellaneous programs series (1968-1988) consists of adult corrections, international relations, juvenile justice, and natural resources. In 1988 the League cosponsored the "U.S. 88" conference with the Roosevelt Center for American Policy Studies. Three instructional videos were used as aids in conducting forums at the conference.

1995 ACCESSION

The 1995 accession records date from 1962 to 1982 and measure 5 linear inches. The accession is arranged in two series: Administrative and Study guides. The Administrative series (1966-1973) documents the budgeting process of the state board in the early 1970s. An undated consultant manual shows how the state and local leagues complement each other's missions. The accession also contains a Study guides series (1962-1982) of various programs and facts provided to the local leagues about education, taxes and government in Iowa.