lending library

American  

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.

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lending library British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of lending library

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

Heavy Manners Library, an art space and lending library specializing in independent books and zines, holds one every other month.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2024

But some of its other projects—a pandemic-era lending library and the ongoing digitalization of 78 rpm records—have led to lawsuits now threatening the future of this repository of the past.

From Slate • Apr. 21, 2024

“We are social animals; we want to go out into the world and engage with each other,” said Mr. Morrison, who keeps a lending library outside his home.

From New York Times • Mar. 21, 2024

It is believed to be Europe's largest public lending library and houses one of the UK's most important Shakespeare collections.

From BBC • Sep. 19, 2023

It was not a huge printing, only 1,500 copies, but Mudie’s lending library had bought 500 copies, which meant that many more people would read The Origin.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman