Seeing as how it is a library and all, is it not possible to read books from the closed (not locked, just closed) shelves in the arcanaeum? I understand a library having some locked shelves, but it seems I should be abel to read everything else, even what is in the closed shelves. Is there a keyboard control I'm missing?

Nope, they stay locked, even as Arch-Mage of the college. Try not to get caught reading them, there are a few places where you can crouch and remain out of sight.

Lol, weird choice by Bethesda on this one.