The Jonsson Social Sciences Reading Room facilitates a range of social science learning and research activities. It contains a social science reference collection of over 15,000 volumes, including classic texts, new and notable publications, and current issues of core journals in the social sciences.

The Jonsson Library of Government Documents is adjacent to the reading room. This collection includes the U.S. Federal Government, State of California, United Nations, and Organization of American States depositories, documents from other international agencies and foreign countries, and large collections of commercially produced microfiche and microfilm.

Use of the color printer in the lobby area is available to the public.

The Jonsson Social Sciences Reading Room is named in honor of Erik Jonsson's outstanding achievements in business and technology, and his parallel commitments to education and community service. The room was dedicated on July 16, 2003.