Definition

1. Noun:
   • A building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for people to read, borrow, or study: A depository library is an institution that collects, preserves, and provides access to informational materials for public or specialized use.
   • An institution responsible for the care of a collection of literary, artistic, or reference materials: It functions as a repository for knowledge and cultural heritage.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The city's main depository library has over a million volumes.
  • She spent the afternoon researching in the quiet of the depository library.
  • Access to digital archives has transformed the modern depository library.

Advanced Usage

• "National depository library": A library designated by law to receive and preserve copies of all publications issued in a country.
  • The Library of Congress serves as a national depository library for the United States.
• "Legal depository library": A library entitled to receive copies of all materials published under a country's legal deposit laws.
  • Publishers must send a copy of each new book to the legal depository library.

Variants and Related Words

• Library (n): The more common and general term for a depository library.
  • The public library offers free computer classes.
• Repository (n): A place where things are stored and can be found. (This is a broader term of which a library is a specific type).
  • The museum is a repository for ancient artifacts.
• Archive (n): A collection of historical documents or records.
  • He found the old letters in the university archive.

Synonyms

• Bibliotheca: (Formal or archaic) A library or collection of books.
• Reading room: A room in a library set aside for reading.

Related Phrases

• Library science: The professional study of the principles and practices of library operation and management.
  • She has a master's degree in library science.
• Library card: A card identifying a person as a member of a library, allowing them to borrow materials.
  • You need a valid library card to check out books.

Related Idioms

• "A treasure trove of information": This idiom is often used to describe a library with rich or valuable collections.
  • The old depository library was a treasure trove of information for local historians.

Noun

1. a depository built to contain books and other materials for reading and study