The library of CEDES was created in 1977, as a result of the organization and systematization of the institution’s collection. From the beginning, it set up exchange activities with other research centers (CENEP, Center for Population Study; CEMLA, Center of Latin American Migratory Studies); CICSO, Center for Social Sciences Studies; and CLACSO, Latin American Council in Social Sciences), and was part of one of the first networks: CABOBE, which centralized information from the various libraries.
In 1982, after the institution moved to 510 Pueyrredón Ave., the library increased its collection and extended access to its information sources to external users.
In 1987, CEDES organized the REDICSA network, with the purpose of contributing to the dissemination of the scientific production carried out in the country in the field of social sciences.
In 1992, when the institution moved to its present building on 27 Sánchez de Bustamente St., the collection started an automation stage.
The great number of materials gathered by CEDES from its foundation led to the reconsideration of the activities carried out by the library. Thus, in 2003 the Information Center, CI-CEDES, was created. This change entailed the management of information resources, which enabled retrieval and access to local and external information sources, whatever their format.
The CI-CEDES currently gathers, organizes and disseminates information on the various subject areas dealt with by the institution, with special emphasis on the field of social sciences applied to health. Its aim is to contribute to the institutional mission of strengthening research skills in social sciences in Argentina and Latin America, and offering equitable access to scientific-technical information.