National Newspapers
New York Times
USA Today
Wall Street Journal
Local News Stations
KCRG
Iowa’s News Now (also known as CBS2 and KGAN)
KWWL
Local and Regional Newspapers
The Gazette
Iowa City Press Citizen
Des Moines Register
Discover Your Bias: Allsides.com allows you take a quiz and discover your own biases, compare them to other Americans, and find a party that aligns with your values.
FactCheck.org: FactCheck.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. Watch this YouTube video on how to spot fake news.
Interactive Media Bias Chart: Ad Fontes Media provides static and interactive media bias charts.
Politifact.com: Politifact.com focuses on looking at specific statements made by politicians and rating them for accuracy.
Snopes.com: Snopes.com is the oldest and largest fact-checking site online, widely regarded by journalists, folklorists, and readers. It is an independent publication by Snopes Media Group.
Civil Rights Commissions: The City of Cedar Rapids and City of Marion both have civil rights commissions that are committed to protecting civil rights of all individuals. Click here to learn about the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission, and click here for more information on the Marion Civil Rights Commission.
Immigration and Refugee Information: The Catherine McAuley Center provides support services for immigrant and refugee populations in the Cedar Rapids area. Click here to contact CMC.
Legal Resources and Information: Iowa Legal Aid has legal resources for families that meet income and asset guidelines. Click here to contact Legal Aid.
National Coalition Against Censorship: NCAC’s mission is to promote freedom of thought, inquiry, and expression and oppose censorship in all its forms, including education on First Amendment rights and obligations.
Your Protest Rights
Understanding the First Amendment in Schools
Report Censorship
Your Federal Representatives: Your federal representatives can help you navigate federal agencies like the Social Security Administration, Immigration and Citizenship Services, and U.S. Department of Agriculture.
U.S. Senators from Iowa:
Click here to email Senator Joni Ernst or call 319-365-4504.
Click here to email Senator Chuck Grassley or call 319-363-6832.
U.S. Representative from Iowa:
Click here to email Congresswoman Ashley Hinson or call 319-364-2288
Youth Law Center: Provides free legal advice to youth across the state of Iowa. Offers information on emancipation, abuse and neglect, sex abuse, family problems, school, traffic, homelessness, chemical dependency, delinquency, guardianship/custody, and teen parenting issues. Click here to contact the Youth Law Center.
African American Museum of Iowa: The African American Museum of Iowa is a statewide museum dedicated to preserving, exhibiting, and teaching Iowa’s African American history. Click here to contact the museum.
Anti-Racism Resources:
Iowa International Center: The Iowa International Center connects international visitors and Iowans to educational and cultural resources, making Iowa a more inclusive and welcoming place to live, work, and raise a family. Click here for more information.
Intercultural Center of Iowa: A nonprofit organization that provides the platform to which our community cultural differences and commonalities in values, expectations, beliefs, and practices are effectively bridged. Click here for more information.
Disability Rights Iowa: Helps people with disabilities, including mental illness, deal with discrimination. Click here for more information.
Marion Public Library: Fill out a volunteer form online and we’ll be in touch!
United Way of East Central Iowa Volunteer Center: Connects those wanting to volunteer their time to a cause or community organization that utilizes their passions and skills. Click here for more information.
National Domestic Violence Helpline: Connect with an advocate who is trained to offer education, support and advocacy to those involved in dating abuse relationships as well as concerned friends, siblings, parents, teachers, law enforcement members and service providers. The helpline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233. Don’t have a phone? Chat live online at Love is Respect.
Against Bullying: Created by and for teens, this website is a place for middle and high school students to find ways to address bullying, to take action, to be heard, and to own an important social cause. Click here for more information.
National Runaway Safeline: NRS helps keep runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. NRS can be reached at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or by clicking here.
StopBullying: StopBullying is a website managed by the U.S. Department of Human Health and Services. Click here to learn about keeping yourself and other people safe from bullying.
Amani Community Services: Amani Community Services is a domestic violence and sexual assault agency specifically serving African Americans. Staff provides counseling, outreach services, personal advocacy, legal advocacy, children’s programming, and information and referrals. Click here for more information.
Friends of the Family: Provides safe shelter, confidential services, and housing assistance to individuals in crisis due to homelessness, domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Friends of the Family can be reached via their 24-hour hotline at 1-800-410-SAFE (7233) or by clicking here.
Waypoint: Waypoint provides shelter and support for those in crisis due to homelessness, poverty, and domestic violence, as well as childcare. Waypoint can be reached at 319-363-2093 or by clicking here.
Addictions.com: Provides free addiction resources to those in need. Click here for more information.
Alcohol Addiction Center: Information on how to find a treatment center, what happens during treatment and what to do after treatment can be found here.
Area Substance Abuse Council: ASAC provides substance abuse services for those seeking help for themselves or others. The help line is free and confidential. Financial assistance may be available to individuals unable to pay for assessments or other services. Click here for more information.
Narcotics Anonymous Meetings: This resource helps individuals find local Narcotics Anonymous meetings and provides resources for various types of treatment including inpatient, outpatient, and support group. Click here for more information.
Sober.com (Formerly Alcoholics Anonymous): A directory of AA meetings (open, closed, speaker, and other specialized meetings) in Marion can be found here.
Your Life Iowa: When you don’t know who to turn to about a problem with alcohol, drugs, gambling, suicidal thoughts or mental health, Your Life Iowa provides free, confidential support and connects you to resources meant to help you get your life back on track. Click here for more information.
Crisis Intervention Service suggests steps you can take after sexual assault. If you decide you would like to report the crime, RAINN explains what to expect.
Marion Police 6315 US-151 Marion, IA 52302 319-377-1511 | Cedar Rapids Police 505 1st Street SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 319-286-5491 | Hiawatha Police 101 Emmons Street Hiawatha, IA 52233 319-393-1515 |
RAINN: RAINN is a national, confidential hotline for victims of rape or other sexual assault. They offer emotional support and can aid in finding local health facilities trained in caring for survivors, local resources for healing and recovery, and more. Call the 24-Hour Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or click here for more information.
Riverview Center: Riverview Center is a nonprofit agency committed to providing compassionate, client-centered care for individuals affected by sexual assault in Iowa. Click here for more information.
Prairiewoods: Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center is a sacred space where people of all faiths and cultures are invited to explore and nurture their relationship with the Source of all Being, Earth, Self, and Others. Click here for more information.
One Iowa: One Iowa is dedicated to preserving and advancing equality for LGBTQ individuals through grassroots efforts, advocacy, and education. They also offer lists of resources for LGBTQ+ Iowans and allies.
PFLAG (Cedar Rapids): PFLAG support is geared towards individuals, familiy, friends, and allies of gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, transgender, and questioning people. Click here for more information.
The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is a national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning young people. Click here to chat online or text “START” to 678678
Church of God 7th Day Food Pantry 1691 Airport Road Marion, IA 52302 319-377-8505 | First Baptist Church – 29th Street Mission 1260 29th Street Marion, IA 52302 319-377-3275 |
Churches of Marion Pantry 864 12th Street Marion, IA 52302 319-377-7309 | First Presbyterian Church – Marion 802 12th Street Marion, IA 52302 319-377-7309 |
Mobile Food Pantry: The HACAP Mobile Food Pantry works with partners in local areas to provide food items from their reservoir. Click here for more information about the Mobile Food Pantry.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace Beds: Sleep in Heavenly Peace Beds builds, assembles, and delivers bunk beds to families in need. Request a free twin bunk bed or learn how to get involved with SHP.
Foundation 2 Youth Shelter: Emergency shelter for youth between the ages of 11-17 who are experiencing a personal or family crisis, which makes it necessary to temporarily live away from home. Click here to learn more about Foundation 2.
Waypoint Centralized Intake: Provides access to appropriate resources needed to resolve a housing crisis. Staff will help determine housing need and find the right openings at emergency shelters and/or send referrals for openings at local shelters. Click here for more information.
National Runaway Switchboard: The mission of the National Runaway Safeline (NRS) is to help keep runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. Click here to visit the NRS website.
If you (or someone with you) are experiencing a medical emergency, are in danger, or are feeling suicidal, call 911 immediately.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (24/7 service)
Black Girls Smile: https://www.blackgirlssmile.org/resources
Black Virtual Therapist Directory: Virtual and online services by licensed mental health providers. Cost is determined by individual therapists and may be covered under health insurance. https://www.beam.community/bvtn
Foundation 2: Provides ongoing emotional assistance through therapy services and support groups. Find out more here.
Linn County Community Resources: Find local mental health resources here.
NAMI: The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a grassroots organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Click here for Iowa’s NAMI website.
Your Life Iowa: The Iowa Department of Public Health has trained counselors standing by to listen to any problems, from alcohol and drugs to mental health. Your Life Iowa is free, private, and easy to use. Click here for more information or text 855-895-8398.
Iowa College Aid: Data and reports on enrollment, diversity, completion rates, tuition and debt, and scholarships for Iowa colleges and universities. Click here to learn more.
Consumer.gov: Consumer (money spender) protection basics from the Federal Trade Commission. Find information about managing money, acquiring credit, protecting your identity, and more.
Iowa Department of Education: Provides information on gaining financial skills. Click here to learn more.
Understanding Taxes (IRS): Visit the Internal Revenue Service website to learns the “hows” and “whys” of taxes. Includes activities and tax tutorials.
1101 6th Avenue
Marion, IA 52302
319-377-3412
Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
We can pull materials for you! If you would like us to help find themed materials or read-alikes, fill out this form and we’ll get back to you!
Please note: 3-5 days notice is required for material requests. Staff will put items on hold for patrons to pick up, and patrons will be notified as items become available.