The IPK library’s function is to provide the staff with literature and other scientific information; however, given its status as a publicly funded institution, its range of services is also made available to external interested parties.

The library’s holdings cover the areas of botany, plant genetics, plant cytology, cell and tissue culture, plant molecular cell biology, crop production and plant taxonomy. It also holds a collection of books illustrating flora from all over the world.

By its listing of holdings in numerous electronic catalogues, the library makes a significant contribution to the public availability of scientific literature: both books and journal articles can be ordered via the online inter-library loan system implemented in the GVKplus catalogue. The library is equipped with several internet workstations.

While the use of the library collections is free of charge, new users are required to register by contacting the library staff; other relevant information can be accessed in the User Regulations. While on site, users can conduct literature searches through access to various online scientific literature databases, pre-eminently the Web of Knowledge.

Thanks to IPK’s participation in DEAL contracts negotiated with both SpringerNature and Wiley, back access dating from 1997 to a wide range of journals is possible online. For literature not available on site, interlibrary loans can be arranged, but note that for external users, this service is subject to a fee (fee regulation).

The Information Services Department is responsible for the dissemination of information and documentation. An important component of the mandate is to support IPK scientists to publish their research. The use of open access publications is encouraged because IPK has committed itself to following the "Guideline of the Leibniz Association on Open Access" publication strategy, which stresses that research outputs of Leibniz Association scientists should be made as freely accessible as possible. All IPK-authored publications are listed within our publication database, which is being constantly updated.