definition
strict definition
reading room
A small library with a permanent or rotating book collection in a building with another non-library use.
A reading room is a small library inside a building with another (non-library) usage. It should include a book collection, which may be permanent or rotating. Normally it should also include seats, space, and lighting suitable for reading, but this is not an absolute condition.
The book collection can remain in place or rotate over time. It is the defining provision, while suitable seating, space, and lighting are usual but not absolute requirements.
The reading room supplements another building use. A media room is identified by seating and a shared screen; either amenity can provide a place to spend time without making a screen a substitute for the reading room's book collection.
Related definitions
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baby carriage storage area
A designated parking area for baby carriages and strollers, shared by users of a structure. -
beach
An area of sand next to a body of water which is designated as an amenity for users of a particular property. -
bicycle storage
A room or other protected area for storing bicycles, excluding a simple outdoor bicycle rack. -
billiard room
A recreational room with a billiard table available for common use by the tenants of a building. -
business center
A designated place for performing business tasks and communications away from the office. -
canteen
A dining space available especially to tenants of a building, often with food service and vending machines. -
conference center
Commonly available space with tables, seating, presentation equipment, and electronics suitable for business meetings. -
dog washing station
A designated amenity where tenants can wash their pet dogs, usually with washing and drainage equipment. -
doorman
A regularly posted employee at a building entrance who attends to or oversees people entering. -
drinking fountains
One or more fountains in a building's or place's common areas which dispense fresh water for drinking. -
dry cleaners
An on-site service that accepts and returns tenants' or guests' fabrics for professional dry cleaning. -
elevator info screens
Screens inside elevator cabs which display news, entertainment, or advertising. -
elevator operator
People employed to control an elevator from inside its cabin on behalf of the riders. -
exercise facility
A common space intended for building tenants and equipped for aerobic or anaerobic exercise. -
food court
A group of take-out food providers located close to a large seating area shared by their customers. -
handicapped accessible
All usable areas of the structure can be accessed by persons with physical disabilities. -
hospitality room
Space available to any tenant for large parties, meetings, and other group functions. -
jacuzzi
Bathtubs or small pools with massaging jets available to many people in multi-tenant or visitor areas. -
laundry area
A common room or rooms with washing and drying machines accessible to tenants of at least one usage zone. -
mail chute
A duct for dropping letters from the upper floors of a building to a mailbox below. -
media room
A commonly available room designated for screening films, videos, games, or television programs. -
outdoor dining
Tables and seating available for restaurant-style eating outdoors, often on a seasonal basis. -
overnight guest suites
Designated rooms or units in a multi-unit residential building where guests of residents can spend the night. -
playground
A special area for children to play on equipment designed for their enjoyment. -
playroom
An indoor area for children to play in, which is shared by tenants or users of a building. -
roof deck
The main roof or uppermost roof is equipped for regular access by tenants or visitors. -
running track
A designated athletic running or jogging path, distinct from hiking trails and multipurpose pathways. -
sauna
A wooden room for steam bathing, available to tenants throughout at least one building usage zone. -
smoking room
An indoor room enclosed by walls and doors and specifically designated for smoking. -
stairlift
A motorized platform guided along a stairway to carry people who have difficulty climbing stairs. -
storage space
Additional space inside a building where tenants can store materials outside their regular units or areas. -
sundeck
A site on a roof, terrace, or a building's lot designated for tenants to lie in the sun. -
swimming pool
A fixed pool large and deep enough for lap swimming, shared by tenants or guests of at least one usage zone. -
tennis court
A standard tennis court with a net, available on the property for use by tenants or guests. -
valet parking
A service in which staff park cars for a place's users, occupants, customers, or visitors. -
wine cellar
A cool, dark wine-storage space available to any tenant within at least one building usage zone.