The library of the German Historical Institute Warsaw is a reference library with currently around 100,000 volumes and over 300 periodicals that are regularly subscribed to. Its task is to provide literature for the research conducted at the institute. The library fulfills a complementary function to the large historical libraries in Warsaw. As part of its collection mandate, which covers the history of Germany, the history of Poland, and the history of German-Polish relations, it therefore focuses on Western-language specialist literature and on topics related to the Institute's research areas.
With this in mind, the library collects sources and specialist literature that enable the institute's research staff, visiting scholars, scholarship holders, and Polish historians to research the history of Poland, the German-speaking territories and countries, and German-Polish relations in their East Central and pan-European context with innovative questions. Chronologically, the collection covers the early Middle Ages to the present day.-Polish relations in their East Central and Pan-European context with innovative questions. Chronologically, the collection covers the period from the early Middle Ages to the present day. Geographically, it encompasses the German-speaking territories and countries as well as Poland within the historical borders of the respective eras, including the history of the peoples formerly belonging to the Polish-Lithuanian state and the former German territories in the east.

The library classification system can be found here.

The library's commitment to actively participating in international debates in the field of cultural studies and interdisciplinary modern history also requires it to acquire methodologically and theoretically stimulating publications on European history with a comparative and transnational perspective.

An increasingly important part of the library's collection mandate is to provide readers with digital specialist publications and electronic databases.

The library also welcomes acquisition suggestions from external sources.