A Librarian's Open Shelf: Essays on Various Subjects — Story, Setting & Ideas

Questioning Reading Habits

The first two essays, "Do Readers Read?" and "What Makes People Read?" establish Bostwick's skeptical, evidence-based approach. He is not content to assume that increased circulation equals genuine engagement. In the opening piece, he likely examines the gap between owning books and absorbing their content—a concern that resonates with modern debates about attention and deep reading. The second essay shifts to motivation, exploring why people pick up books in the first place. Bostwick's perspective as a librarian gives him access to borrowing patterns and reader behavior, though the excerpts do not reveal his specific conclusions. What is clear is his insistence on distinguishing between passive consumption and active intellectual work.

The Possessive and the Public

In "The Passing of The Possessive; A Study of Book Titles," Bostwick turns a philological eye on publishing trends. The essay's focus on the possessive case in titles—likely works like The Mayor's Wife or The King's Daughter—suggests a broader argument about how language reflects cultural values. This piece, from 1897, is one of the earliest in the collection and demonstrates Bostwick's range beyond library science. Later, "The People's Share in The Public Library" (1915) returns to institutional concerns, arguing that libraries belong to their communities. Together, these essays show Bostwick moving from linguistic detail to democratic principle, always grounding his observations in concrete examples.

History and Heredity

The excerpt on "source-consciousness" in the Middle West reveals Bostwick's interest in how Americans connect to their past. He observes that westerners often know their family originated in Vermont or Virginia, while easterners have lost track of English county origins. This leads to a critique of superficial historical interest: "When a man is proud of the fact that an ancestor took part in the famous Boston Tea Party, has he taken any pains to ascertain what actually took place on that occasion?" Bostwick advocates for linking family history to general history, urging readers to preserve old letters and diaries by donating them to historical societies. His tone is gently admonishing but practical, offering specific advice like sealing packets for a century if privacy is a concern.

Education and Community

Several essays address education from a librarian's vantage point. "Selective Education" (1907) and "Modern Educational Methods" (1908) likely critique rote learning and advocate for more individualized approaches. In "How The Community Educates Itself" (1916), Bostwick extends this to informal learning through libraries, clubs, and public discourse. The collection also includes addresses to specialized audiences—pharmacists, teachers, library associations—each tailored to its listeners but consistent in its call for active, critical engagement with ideas. Bostwick's voice is that of a public intellectual who believes institutions should cultivate curiosity rather than merely dispense information.

Readers approaching this collection should treat each essay as an independent argument, best read with attention to its original context and audience. Bostwick's style is direct and occasionally wry, but he never sacrifices substance for effect. The essays reward those who share his interest in the mechanics of reading, the philosophy of education, and the role of public institutions in democratic life. For a first reading, consider starting with the pieces that address your own professional or intellectual interests, then explore the more unexpected topics—like atomic theories or the systematization of violence—to appreciate the full range of Bostwick's curiosity.