The Center attracts faculty and students in the seven social sciences departments (Anthropology, Communication, Economics, Linguistics, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology) as well as users from other campus departments, programs and schools.  The Center’s Subject specialists build and interpret the social science and government documents collections for the Stanford community.

As home to the Jonsson Library of Government Documents, the Center promotes the use of government information in social science research. Collections include publications from the U S. Federal Government, State of California, United Nations, Organization of American States depository publications, and documents from other international agencies and foreign countries in media formats that include print, microfiche, microfilm, compact disc (CD-ROM) and online access. Collection strengths include U. S. congressional and presidential documents and materials from the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Commerce and Interior.

The Jonsson Social Sciences Reading Room houses an extensive reference collection including selected journals, newsletters, new books and classic texts in the field. Twelve networked computers provide access to Stanford's online resources and popular quantitative (statistical) and qualitative software for research and instruction.

Social Science Data and Software (SSDS) is co-located in and is an integral part of, the Center. SSDS provides services and support to Stanford faculty, staff and students in finding and getting social science data and in selecting and using quantitative (statistical) and quantitative software. Staff members provide these services in a variety of ways that include consulting, workshops and help documentation.

Staff members at the SSRC Reception Desk assist users in navigating the Center's collections and facilities and provide technical assistance for photocopiers and printer, and dedicated Jonsson Library CD-ROM workstations.  In addition, the Center provides a multimedia seminar room for group instructional sessions and three group study rooms.

Public events such as colloquia, seminars, lectures and receptions bring Stanford experts and invited guests from other universities, government or industry for presentations of cross-disciplinary appeal within the social sciences.