ˈlaɪbrərɪ n. (pl. -ies) 1 a a
collection of books etc.
for use by
the public or by members of a
group. b a person's collection of books. 2 a
room or
building containing a collection of books (for
reading or
reference rather than for sale). 3 a a
similar collection of films, records,
computer routines, etc. b the
place where these are
kept. 4 a
series of books issued by a
publisher in similar bindings
etc., usu. as a set. 5 a public
institution charged
with the
care of a collection of books, films, etc. ølibrary
edition a strongly bound edition. library school a
college or a
department in a
university or
polytechnic teaching librarianship. library
science the
study of librarianship. [ME f. OF librairie f. L libraria (taberna shop), fem. of librarius bookseller's, of books, f.
liber libri book]