Leslyee's Library

05/13/2026

Thank you Raccoon Valley Radio for covering our expansion into Greene County later this summer!

Leslyee's Library in Marshall County Courthouse. Photo courtesy of Ryne GeorgeA program that was started two years ago to bring positivity to children for an otherwise serious situation will be coming to Greene County. Ryne George is

05/06/2026

Thank you to The Iowa Lawyer Magazine and Chief Editor Haley Bohlmann for taking the time to tell the story of Leslyee’s Library. From a shoebox of books in the Marshall County courthouse to expanding to seven counties across Iowa! Check out the full article in the latest May 2026 issue here: https://www.iowabar.org/?pg=IowaLawyerMagazine

04/08/2026

Big news for Leslyee's Library!

We are thrilled to announce that by the end of summer 2026, Leslyee's Library will expand into five new Iowa counties: Floyd, Franklin, Butler, Bremer, and Greene. That brings our total footprint to seven counties across the state.

Five new counties means five new shelves to fill: https://givebutter.com/leslyeeslibrary

We are grateful to the county boards, judicial partners, and supporters who are making this possible. This growth would not be possible without you!

02/17/2026

Leslyee’s Library is now officially a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization!

This milestone allows us to pursue grant opportunities, build corporate partnerships, and accept tax-deductible donations all in support of placing free books in the hands of children during courthouse visits.

We’re grateful for your support and excited for what’s ahead!

12/04/2025

Thank you to everyone who donated Scholastic eGift Cards this past Giving Tuesday! Because of your support, we’ll be adding the following new books into circulation in 2026:

· Moo Hoo

· Whatever After: Fairest of All

· Clifford the Small Red Puppy Board Books: Clifford's Opposites

· The Biggest Pumpkin Ever

· The Very Impatient Caterpillar

· Peppa Pig: Peppa's Magical Unicorn

· I Am a Garbage Truck

· I Am a Dump Truck

· Clifford's ABC

· The Magic School Bus Blows Its Top: A Book about Volcanoes

Missed Giving Tuesday? You can still support our library by sending a Scholastic eGift Card to [email protected] with the link below. We use every dollar to purchase new, kid approved titles.

Scholastic eGift Card: https://shop.scholastic.com/giftcard/purchase

12/02/2025

This Giving Tuesday you can help a child leave the courthouse with a brand NEW book of their very own. We’re collecting Scholastic eGift cards to stock Leslyee’s Library with a variety of new stories. To donate an eGift card:

1. Visit the Scholastic eGift page: https://shop.scholastic.com/giftcard/purchase

2. Choose the amount you’d like to donate.

3. Enter [email protected] as the recipient email.

4. Complete checkout – simple and easy!

Thank you for helping us put more books into the hands of kids in Marshall and Linn counties!

11/20/2025

Thank you to the Cedar Rapids Optimist Club for the invite this afternoon and for giving us the opportunity to share the story of Leslyee’s Library!

10/28/2025

We're often asked, "What kinds of books can kids find at a Leslyee’s Library bookcase?" Here’s a fun peek at some of the titles we just restocked at the Linn County Courthouse last week. And yes, every kid is welcomed to take a book home to keep!

10/21/2025

Cady Day of Service was a huge success in Marshall County! Hundreds of books were donated, and we raised $265 helping put free books directly into the hands of kids at the courthouse.

Thank you to Judge Sharon Greer, the Marshall County Bar Association, and Drake University Law School for including us in such an amazing day of community service.

If you’d like to help us continue growing this impact, you can support our mission here: https://givebutter.com/leslyeeslibrary

10/15/2025

Thank you to the Cedar Rapids Kiwanis Club for welcoming us this afternoon to share the story, mission, and impact of Leslyee’s Library!