public library
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public library
A public institution run by a city or municipality where books, media, and information are made available for all citizens to borrow or use on site.
Ich muss die Bücher bis nächste Woche in der Stadtbibliothek zurückgeben.
I have to return the books to the public library by next week.
The word is a simple compound made up of 'die Stadt' (the city) and 'die Bibliothek' (the library). So it refers to a library that is run by a city and is accessible to its citizens.
Die neue Stadtbibliothek wurde letzte Woche eröffnet.
The new public library opened last week.
Pay attention to the preposition 'in' and the case. Movement toward this place is expressed with the accusative ('in die Stadtbibliothek gehen' — to go to the public library), while staying there requires the dative ('in der Stadtbibliothek lernen' — to study in the public library).
Am Nachmittag gehe ich in die Stadtbibliothek, um für meine Prüfung zu lernen.
In the afternoon, I am going to the public library to study for my exam.
Typical verbs used in connection with a public library are 'Bücher ausleihen' (to borrow books), 'Medien zurückgeben' (to return media), 'den Leseausweis verlängern' (to renew the library card), or simply 'lernen' (to study) and 'lesen' (to read).
Ich muss meinen Leseausweis für die Stadtbibliothek verlängern lassen.
I need to have my public library card renewed.
library
'die Bibliothek' and 'die Stadtbibliothek' can both mean a place where you find books and other media. 'Bibliothek' is the general term. It can be a public library, a university library, or even a private book collection. 'Stadtbibliothek' is more specific: it belongs to a city or municipality and is there for the citizens. Learners may confuse the words because every 'Stadtbibliothek' is a 'Bibliothek'. But not every 'Bibliothek' is a 'Stadtbibliothek'.
Am Samstag hat die Stadtbibliothek länger geöffnet, weil ein Lesefest stattfindet.
On Saturday, the public library is open longer because a reading festival is taking place.
In der Bibliothek der Universität findet Maria viele Fachbücher.
Maria finds many specialist books in the university library.