The primary role of the library is to serve in-house researchers by facilitating access to relevent information sources. It is also open to outside researchers and readers.

The ICES library has an extensive collection of books and monographs articles and papers in the fields of ethnicity, human rights, religion, anthropology, politics, women's studies and sociology. Through the years the Centre has built up a rich collection of books, articles and monographs in the social sciences. Published and unpublished material relevant to current political and socio-economic development in Sri Lanka is a significant part of the ICES collection. There is an extensive stock of pamphlets, news clippings in micro fiche form and publications relevant to the research needs of the centre. The ICES is currently working to create an internationally accessible library on violence against women.

While books, research papers and scholarly articles remain the primary fora through which the ICES intellectual enterprise has sought expression and communication with the wider community, the Centre has also been active in bringing out is own journal. Recently renamed Nethra, the journal is designed equally to interest scholars and serious-minded non-specialist readers.