public library

American  

noun

1. a nonprofit library established for the use of the general public and maintained chiefly by public funds.

---

Etymology

Origin of public library

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

Maths teacher Bobby Seagull is appointed an MBE for his work campaigning for public libraries to be better supported.

From BBC

Their paths initially crossed at the Anaheim public library, where they went to peruse its Disneyland collection.

From Los Angeles Times

I turned onto 48th Street at Budlong Avenue and was stunned to see a grand public library, a striking mix of Prairie and Italian Revival architecture.

From Los Angeles Times

She married, had children and for many years worked as a librarian in a public library in upstate New York.

From MarketWatch

She married, had children and for many years worked as a librarian in a public library in upstate New York.

From MarketWatch