lending-library

A woman borrows a book from the lending-library.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A library that lends books and other materials for use outside the premises: A "lending-library" is a type of library where items, primarily books, are borrowed by patrons to take home, as opposed to a reference library where materials must be used on site.
   • An institution that provides items on loan: More broadly, it can refer to any collection of items (such as DVDs, tools, or media) that is made available for temporary borrowing.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The local lending-library allows members to borrow up to ten books at a time. (A library that lends books for home use.)
  • She visited the lending-library to check out a novel for the weekend. (She borrowed a book from a library that permits off-premises use.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be a lending-library": to function as a source of borrowed items.

  • The community centre operates as a lending-library for gardening tools. (The centre lends tools to residents.)

• "lending-library system": the network or administrative structure supporting such borrowing.

  • The lending-library system has expanded to include e-books and audiobooks. (The borrowing infrastructure now includes digital materials.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lending (adj): relating to the act of giving something temporarily.

  • The lending policy requires a valid library card. (The rules for borrowing.)

• Library (n): a building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for use or borrowing.

  • The library has a quiet reading room. (The physical space for books.)

• Lending library: (alternative spelling) the same concept, often written without a hyphen.

  • The lending library is open from 9 AM to 5 PM. (Same as lending-library.)

Synonyms

• Borrowing library: a library that allows patrons to take items home.
• Circulating library: a historical term for a library that lends books, often for a fee.
• Public lending library: a library funded by the public that lends materials.

Related Idioms

• "to live in a lending-library": (humorous) to have many borrowed items at home.
  • His apartment is like a lending-library, with books stacked everywhere. (A metaphor for having many borrowed books.)

Notes

• The term "lending-library" is less common than "public library" or "circulating library" in modern usage, but it specifically emphasises the lending function. It is often used in library science or historical contexts.