library

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A building or room where books and other materials are kept for people to read, borrow or use for study.

   Grammar: Plural libraries: the city has three libraries.

   Patterns

   • borrow something from the library
   • go to the library

   I borrowed three novels from the public library.

   The school library is quiet during exams.

   He studies at the university library after class.

2. 2nouncountable

   A personal collection of books, recordings or other items kept at home.

   Grammar: Often followed by of: a library of old records.

   Patterns

   • a library of something

   Her grandfather left her a library of rare books.

   They have a large library of classic films.

   The professor's personal library fills three rooms.

3. 3nouncountablecomputing

   A set of ready-made files, code or tools that computer programs can use.

   Grammar: Often in programming contexts: use a library to save time.

   Patterns

   • a library for something

   The developer used a free library to draw the charts.

   This software library handles dates and times.

   You must install the library before the program will run.

Word forms

Common combinations

public library

The public library offers free classes for adults.

library card

You need a library card to borrow books.

library book

Please return your library book by Friday.

borrow from the library

I borrow most of my novels from the library.

music library

His music library has thousands of songs.

software library

The software library saves programmers time.

Synonyms and how they differ

archive

Archive is a place that keeps historical records and documents, rather than books to borrow as a library does.

collection

Collection is a general word for any group of things gathered together, while library implies books or media for use.

reading room

Reading room is a room set aside in a larger building for reading, so it is smaller than a library.

Word family

librarian noun

a person who works in a library

librarianship noun

the profession or study of managing libraries

library science noun

the study of how libraries are organized and run

Commonly confused: library or bookstore?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “library”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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