Leslyee's Library

10/09/2026

Thank you to Mitch and Radio•On•The•Go for covering our expansion into Franklin and Butler counties last week!

A trip to the courthouse can be stressful for families, especially when children have to come along for difficult conversations and legal matters.

Now, Leslyee’s Library is bringing a little comfort to local courthouses — one book at a time. 📚

The nonprofit added free children’s bookcases in Franklin and Butler counties Wednesday, continuing a mission started by Leslyee George and carried on by her son, Ryne, after her passing.

With books ranging from baby books to chapter books, kids can find something to enjoy — and even take it home.

Read how one mother’s simple idea has grown into a resource now serving seven Iowa counties.

Story link in the comments.

Photo (left to right): Liz Hamm, Judicial Operations Supervisor in Iowa Judicial District 2; Ryne George; Beth Eilderts and Brenda DeVries, Franklin County Judicial Operations Clerks during the Franklin County stop on Sept. 30.

10/01/2026

Our expansion into new counties continues! Yesterday we added over 200 books to each of our bookcases in the counties of Bremer, Floyd, Butler, and Franklin. Each stop was an opportunity to share our mission with courthouse staff, answer any questions, and express our gratitude for each partnership.

This expansion started with one email from Judicial Operations Supervisor Liz Hamm and her staff back in January 2026. After months of planning, emails, and securing the proper approvals, we made it a reality.

Leslyee’s Library is now established in seven courthouses across the state of Iowa with over 1,700 books in circulation for kids to enjoy.

09/16/2026

We are officially set up in Greene County! Last week, the Jefferson, Iowa community welcomed us with open arms as we launched our third location at the beautiful Greene County courthouse. Around 300 books ranging from new coloring books, Pete the Cat, Dr. Seuss, and Hardy Boys mysteries are ready for families visiting the Clerk of Court office.

Thank you to the Greene County Board of Supervisors and Greene County Clerk of Court for partnering with us. A very special thank you to Greene County Court Reporter and longtime friend of Leslyee, Jessica Savits, for being our champion and driver to make this happen.

And thank you to Coltrane Carlson from Raccoon Valley Radio for sharing our story every step of the way: https://www.raccoonvalleyradio.com/2026/09/11/leslyees-library-arrives-at-the-greene-county-courthouse/

We couldn’t do this without the support of our community. Every donation helps us reach more families across Iowa: https://givebutter.com/leslyeeslibrary

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!