1. public library - a nonprofit library maintained for public use. A public library is established under state enabling laws or regulations to serve a community, district, or region, and provides at least the following: an organized collection of printed or other library materials, or a combination thereof; : a nonprofit library maintained for public use and usually supported in whole or in part by local taxation. Definition of public library. Libraries are committed to helping children and adults develop the skills they need to survive and thrive in a global information society: the ability to read and use computers. Public libraries can be differentiated from academic, school, and special libraries because they function to serve the needs of a diverse service population including small children, students, professionals, and the elderly. Each public library functions to serve its community in different ways, but its core functions are: To make available all of the information, entertainment (within limits), and resources possible to every patron, regardless of age, financial status, or any other factors. Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. In contrast, academic libraries serve college and university faculty and students; school libraries serve elementary, middle, and high school students and faculty; and special libraries (such as Presidential Libraries) serve scholar…

© 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc. library - a collection of literary documents or records kept for reference or borrowing. a nonprofit library established for the use of the general public and maintained chiefly by public funds. To provide a quiet, safe place for study, research, reading, and learning.