College libraries – the thought evokes images of cathedral-like buildings housing row upon row of books and dimly lit tables full of students diligently studying.

            But talking a stroll into the libraries around the University at Buffalo, one might instead find a long line for printing or not enough space to study in Capen or Lockwood libraries.

            There is no question that the university is on the precipice of change. President John B. Simpson is the man and the plan is UB 2020. It’s time UB gets an overhaul.

            Recently, the UB student body has taken to social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to let the administration know the state of the libraries is unacceptable.

            Yes, change is coming, and it’s about time. Libraries should be a continual focus of a university, not only updated once every ten years.

             After all, students come here to learn. Really.

            One of the biggest problems with the school libraries is that they have a total of 2,500 computers for a student population of 30,000 students. Many school officials cite the growing number of students with laptops, so the need for more workstations doesn’t make sense, given the extensive work to improve wireless connectivity around campus.

            But the school officials probably don’t know what it’s like to have to pack up your laptop during a bathroom break from studying because it might get stolen in the middle of Capen Library. This little routine might then lead to a student losing his or her study space.

            The noticeable additions of informal learning spaces give the impression that the school wants more study spaces. These spaces have comfy chairs and power strips to encourage students to bring their own computers to campus. But how can anyone get real work done when other students are racing through the halls to get to class?

            Don’t forget that the libraries can be pretty messy after students spend countless hours working. It’s bad enough when people are socializing in the library, but having to clean up after people just to get a place to study is a bit silly.

            Not to mention the ridiculously long waits students need to endure when wanting to print out class notes before class. The student printing program iprint@UB is supposed to mitigate this problem, but it isn’t even compatible with Mac laptops.

            It would certainly be naive to think immediate action will occur. But it strikes a nerve when a university with such run-down libraries wants to become a world-class research institution.

            The reality is that UB needs to revamp the libraries, giving them more space for students to study and more computers for work to be done. The library is, for many undergraduate students, a home away from dorm.

            What does it say when students can’t find places to study in the library during finals week? Adding insult to injury, the third floor of Capen library has rows of empty shelves. That space could be converted to another desperately needed study center.

            There are, without question, positive aspects of the UB libraries. They house 3.7 million books, 578,000 e-books and a vast archive of scholarly journals. But everything, after a while, needs a facelift.

            It is just disheartening to see UB try to revamp the school in one fell swoop instead of incremental changes over the course of the long haul.

            Help is on the way for the libraries. UB 2020 can deliver the effective change the students are seeking.

            But will it? Only time will tell.