The old library building was designed by Martin Gropius (1824–1880) and is located near the cathedral, the university main building, and the lecture hall.

A new site was completed in 2001 for the natural sciences and medicine library.

The new library features 498 open places with internet access as well as 24 single rooms and four group rooms which are available for cost-free rent.

The area within the building amounts to 13,890 square meters.

As part of a DFG-funded programme, the university library collects all books about all aspects of the Baltic States for all German libraries.