The IUS library holds thousands of books and research papers covering a wide range of topics in urban studies, including geography, economics, housing, planning, sociology, urban design and social policy. The collection includes monographs, planning documents, government documents, periodicals, newsletters, reference works, grey literature, reports, statistics, and pamphlet files. The holdings may be searched online. Students at any of the city’s major post-secondary campuses and members of community-based organizations may borrow from the collection.

The mission of the IUS Library is to develop and maintain an excellent, well-organized and relevant collection of documents that meets the informational and educational needs of students, faculty, citizens, researchers, community groups and officials who are concerned with topics relating to the social, environmental, policy and design implications of urban life.