reading room
Quiet book space
A reading room is a quiet space set aside for reading, typically in a library, museum, or private club.
Reading rooms often house reference materials, periodicals, or special collections that don't circulate: The manuscript can only be viewed in the reading room.
The term suggests a formal atmosphere with comfortable seating and good lighting.
Book collection or building
- studyDeliberate learning effort
- alcoveRecessed area in room
- nookSheltered corner or alcove
- carrelEnclosed individual workspace
lounge · chamber · hall · gallery · parlor · salon · corner · annex
Bound written works
- manuscriptsHandwritten or typed originals
- periodicalsRecurring printed publications
- journalsPeriodicals or personal logs
- newspapersPrinted daily publications
magazines · folios · archives · rare books · first editions · bound volumes · pamphlets · microfilm
Systematic fact-finding effort
- studyDeliberate learning effort
- browsingCasual examination of options
- perusingReading thoroughly
- note-takingRecording information while listening
annotation · citation · reference · consultation · scholarship · learning · discovery · inquiry
Lacking in sound
- silenceTotal lack of sound
- hushAbsence of sound
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
- tranquilityUndisturbed peacefulness
serenity · calm · peace · soft-spoken · whisper · murmur · subdued · restful
Furniture for writing
- chairSingle-person sitting furniture
- tableHorizontal furniture surface
- lampElectric light fixture
- bookshelfFurniture for storing volumes
lectern · armchair · ottoman · settee · bench · cushion · footstool · side table
Elevated overhead clearance
- tall windowsVertically extended glass openings
- natural lightIllumination from the sun
- stained glassColored window art
- brass fixturesCopper-alloy mounted hardware
card catalogs · patina · antique · Victorian · Edwardian · collegiate · monastic
library
Book collection or building
carrel · lounge · chamber · hall · gallery · parlor · salon · corner · annex · wing
books
Bound written works
- manuscriptsHandwritten or typed originals
- periodicalsRecurring printed publications
- journalsPeriodicals or personal logs
newspapers · magazines · folios · archives · rare books · first editions · bound volumes · pamphlets · microfilm · maps
research
Systematic fact-finding effort
note-taking · annotation · citation · reference · consultation · scholarship · learning · discovery · inquiry · contemplation
quiet
Lacking in sound
tranquility · serenity · calm · peace · soft-spoken · whisper · murmur · subdued · restful · contemplative
desk
Furniture for writing
bookshelf · lectern · armchair · ottoman · settee · bench · cushion · footstool · side table · writing desk
high ceilings
Elevated overhead clearance
- tall windowsVertically extended glass openings
- natural lightIllumination from the sun
- stained glassColored window art
brass fixtures · card catalogs · patina · antique · Victorian · Edwardian · collegiate · monastic
- librarylibrarian, book stacks, books, library card, bookshelves
- learning resourcestutorials, library, textbook, guides, study guides
- library sectionsfiction, nonfiction, reference, periodicals, children's section
- library servicesyouth services, bookmobiles, reference desk, reference librarian, mobile libraries
- library thingsshelves, rows, aisles, rare books, manuscripts
- Library Tropeslibrarian, book stacks, card catalog, archives, rare books
reading roomdance hall
Public venue for dancing
nightclub · gymnasium · sports arena · concert hall · game room
reading roombook stacks
Shelved collection storage area
storage vault · storage area · repository · circulation desk
reading roomfitness center
Exercise facility
weight room · locker room · break room · nap room · rumpus room
read, room, reading, reader, reads, unread, misread, readable, readers