Turn a library into a living public good with timeless ideas on collecting, organizing, and sharing knowledge.
This edition presents a historical vision for building and sustaining a great library. It argues for thoughtful selection, careful cataloging, and open access, blending moral purpose with practical governance. Readers will encounter ideas about balancing antique and modern works, uniting scattered texts, and empowering custodians to steward learning for future generations.
- A provocative look at how a library can reflect and advance a culture
- Practical notes on choosing books, arranging collections, and creating access
- Reflections on the people, roles, and decisions that sustain a lifelong repository of knowledge
Ideal for readers of history of libraries, book collecting, and institutional culture who seek a window into early modern ideas about knowledge as public wealth.