From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishreference libraryˈreference ˌlibrary noun [countable] SETCNa public library or a room in a library, that contains books that you can read but not take away → lending library
Examples from the Corpus
reference library• There will also be a reference library of gas-related books.• Adobe have worked with Pantone to provide over 700 colour shades and combinations that are provided in a reference library on disk.• Use of extensive lending and reference library, provision of reading lists, etc.• She said that this pioneering reference library was good for democracy and good for citizenship.• Beyond this, the local studies collection in the public reference library will be a source of essential information.• Go to the reference library and look up the electoral register for the last ten years or so. 