The library is situated on the FS 'Polarstern', in the 'Blue Salon' on Deck B. The library is open all day to expedition participants.

The library comprises standard research publications in the fields of biology, chemistry, geology, geophysics, glaciology, meteorology and oceanography, with special emphasis on polar research. The AWI journals Reports on Polar Research and Polarstern: Collected Reprints are also kept by the library.

The on-board library is administered by the central AWI library in Bremerhaven.