noun
A library established and operated by a local government, open to the public. Often contrasted with 私立図書館 (private library) or 公開図書館 (library open to the public but not necessarily publicly funded).
See also: 公開図書館
市の公立図書館で本を借りた。
I borrowed a book at the city public library.
公立図書館は誰でも無料で利用できる。
Anyone can use a public library for free.
Compound of 公立 (こうりつ, 'publicly established') and 図書館 (としょかん, 'library').