The city and district library in Arnstadt's Prinzenhof is a public institution whose main tasks are to provide media for general education, training and further education, leisure activities and to teach media and research skills. The library has around 37,000 items (books, magazines, games, audio books, CDs, DVDs, games for Wii and Nintendo DS and devices such as Tolino and Wii consoles) available to borrow on two floors of the historic building complex, as well as 127,000 electronic items via the digital library (Onleihe) and a film streaming service (filmfriend).

In addition to author and book readings for various target groups (from kindergarten to school to adult education), the library regularly organizes training courses to teach media skills, with children and young people being the main target groups. The cultural and educational institution also runs two outdoor events on the grounds of the historic Prinzenhof: the storytelling trail in the courtyard and the book flea market from May to October.