The DBJL holds the largest and most comprehensive collection of materials in food and nutrition with a Caribbean focus and a wide coverage of subject areas within the field of nutrition and public health. The subject coverage includes nutrition-related diseases, food preparation and safety, child nutrition and development and nutrition promotion.

The resources at the DBJL comprise a variety of materials including a core collection of items from Dr. Jelliffe's personal library, periodicals, books, pamphlets, slides, newspaper clippings, posters and charts, audiovisual and reference materials and informational materials on CD ROMs. Chief among the print resources in the library are technical documents and reports.

Other important resources are traditional card and automated catalogues (WINISIS), electronic indexes to the Institute's two major publications: CAJANUS (Cajindex) and Nyam News, and databases, publications for sale and for free distribution.