athenaeum

noun

ath·​e·​nae·​um ˌa-thə-ˈnē-əm 

variants or atheneum

1

: a building or room in which books, periodicals, and newspapers are kept for use

2

: a literary or scientific association

Word History

Etymology

Latin Athenaeum, a school in ancient Rome for the study of arts, from Greek Athēnaion, a temple of Athena, from Athēnē

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1