The Department of Communications conveys results from polar research and information about the polar environment to central Norwegian authorities, other research institutions, the media and the general public. The Institute also focuses internationally on polar research and environmental management.

Results from Norwegian and international polar research are published through the journal Polar Research (in English). Reports, handbooks and posters are published and may be purchased, as well as airial photographs from Svalbard, Jan Mayen and Antarctica.

The Institute's library contains Norway's most extensive collection of literature from Svalbard and the photo library contains a substantial amount of historical and contemporary photographs from Norway's territories and claims in the polar regions.