lending library

noun

1. Also called circulating library, rental library. a small library that is maintained by a commercial establishment, as a drugstore, and is composed largely of current books that are lent to customers for a fee.
2. Chiefly British. a public library that lends materials or the division or section of it that carries out this function.

lending library

noun

1. Also called (esp US)circulating library the department of a public library providing books for use outside the building
2. a small commercial library

Word History and Origins

Origin of lending library¹

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

It’s the financial equivalent of the leap from postal service to email, or lending library to Internet.

From Time

I immediately put deaccessioned books in my car, then, as I drove around, I deposited them into the tiny lending libraries that dot our neighborhood.

From Washington Post

I shall be there all the afternoon giving out the lending-library books, and a good many volumes need re-covering.

From Project Gutenberg

At about the same time a lending library of reference books was established in connection with the work of the society.

From Project Gutenberg

Satisfied that his entrance was unobserved he strolled casually in and began looking over the volumes in the lending library.

From Project Gutenberg

As a general rule, these libraries were divided into the lending library and the library of reference.

From Project Gutenberg

In another room the lending library is attracting large numbers.

From Project Gutenberg