With its approximately 400,000 volumes, the Kunstbibliothek (Art Library) is one of the most important specialized art libraries in Germany. It acquires and makes accessible scholarly literature on European art history from late antiquity to the present day, and continuously obtains around 1,400 international journals.

At the same time, it collects drawings and prints on applied art in its museum collections. In addition, it has an extensive photographic collection.

The holdings include the Collection of Hand Drawings, the Ornamental Engraving Collection, the Lipperheide Costume Library, the Poster and Advertising Art Collection, the Applied Graphics Collection, the Book Art Collection, and the Photography Collection. All of them can be viewed in the reading room. Special exhibitions are held at regular intervals.