Libraries both in the East and the West in terms of its usage went through various changes in meaning. The writer attempted an etymological study on the terms of libraries from the earliest time to the present time. Finding various ways and means of usage in the literature of past and present, the writer tries to suggest the best fitted term for libraries to the Korean usage. The suggestion which the writer intended to introduce is Munhun-gwan(文獻館) in the place of Dosu-gwan(圖書館).