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

The main house had a lending library filled with art books and catalogs, and people from the surrounding community came for annual parties.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

“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

Recently someone “rented” a movie and returned it to the lending library later.

From Los Angeles Times

The comic could be found at bookstores, lending libraries and roadside booksellers.

From BBC