The SAB is a municipal service of the city of Deventer. Visitors have free access to the records and can consult scientific and professional literature. The SAB lends out books and has a reading room for research into archives, manuscripts, early editions and reference books. When necessary, the SAB staff members are present in the reading room to provide information and assist visitors in their research and study.

The SAB houses the following facilities:

- Library for the Saxion Colleges
- Record Office for the Deventer Municipality
- Scientific Library for Overijssel (providing libraries in the region with scientific information, databases, etc.)
- Library for the Deventer Municipality and immediate surroundings(administrating manuscripts, early editions, items of regional interest, etc