reading room

reading room (plural reading rooms)

1. A dedicated space in a library, or similar institution of learning, set aside for reading.
   • 1944 May and June, Arthur B. Longbottom, “The Derby Railway Institute”, in Railway Magazine, page 150:

     There is also a fine dance and concert hall, a capacious reading room, a well-appointed billiards room with five tables, various committee and games rooms, photographic dark rooms, and a small but compact ladies' lounge.

2. A reference library.