Library services and cultural activities are organised by the Umeå municipal Cultural Administration.

Public library services in Umeå are provided by the central library, several branch libraries and a mobile library. There is no charge for borrowing books, music, films, talking books and other types of media. Other types of services offered include access to daily newspapers, magazines, reference books, public-sector information, and computers linked to databases and the Internet. Libraries are also popular meeting places, open to the general public.

The Umeå Cultural Administration's Public Culture Department is based on the City Hall and is responsible for the implementation of cultural activities for children and young people, the visual arts and public cultural events.