Publication and dissemination of public policy research are essential parts of the Brookings mission. The Press publishes books that result from the Institution's own research and books of a similar nature written by outside authors.

In addition to its books, Brookings publishes three semi-annual journals: the highly acclaimed Brookings Papers on Economic Activity; Economia, a journal of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association; and The Future of Children, which is co-published with the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. Brookings also publishes four annual journals: Brookings Papers on Education Policy, Brookings-Wharton Papers on Financial Services, Brookings-Wharton Papers on Urban Affairs, and Trade Forum.

The Press also distributes books published by several other research institutions, including the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, The Council on Foreign Relations Press, The Century Foundation, The Centre for Economic Policy Research, Chatham House, The United Nations University Press, and the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.