For someone like me, who has spent most of his time here in Binghamton in the University’s libraries, it is shocking to realize how little I know about the libraries, apart from the fact that they provides quiet places to read, study and type up essays. You almost forget that the library houses an endless collection of books and countless rows of shelves that, unless you are doing research, act more like noise dividers than a source of endless information and knowledge.

Since my first semester as a freshman, I have maybe only written four legitimate research papers, and only two of them required the use of actual books. The other two were finished using online resources, and the other two papers that required books also included online sources. With the convenience of the Internet, it’s almost hard to deny that navigating through a library’s printed collection is very much a dying art.

I remember in high school, teachers would bring us to the library to help us not only to find books on our paper topics, but also to teach us the basics of doing research — how to use specific yet broad terms when typing in keywords, how to use online databases, how to cite properly, etc. I dreaded these boring exercises; however, now that I am in college, I wish professors could take the time to go over such basics. Finding printed resources in such a large library is honestly a little overwhelming. The public library that I used to frequent probably has a collection of books hundred times smaller than the one here in Binghamton.

Perhaps they should consider giving incoming freshmen in-depth tours of the all of the University’s libraries. Teachers and students alike will probably kill me for saying this, but it might be a good idea to integrate this into the WRIT 111 course. I think it is important to have a librarian personally show students all the different collections and sections, ranging from architecture to zoology, that are available. It would be a long tour, but definitely informative and helpful.

Only a few weeks ago, I needed a book on Asian pagodas and found an entire shelf dedicated to Chinese architecture. It’s absolutely mind-boggling, and for a bibliophile like me, it definitely makes me appreciate the University’s libraries a lot more.

I also remember in high school when my European history class was assigned a paper about Russian monarchs, and all of us basically had to share the few books that were available in our public library. Some of our more prudent classmates took out the better books early, screwing the rest of us. Unless a professor assigns everyone the same incredibly specific assignment, I cannot imagine something like that happening in a university like ours, with such a vast collection of books.

Quite honestly, I have a lot of love for this University’s library simply because it is so much bigger than the one I am used to at home. But that does not mean it doesn’t have its flaws.

I’ve noticed many times when I am searching for a book, it is missing, misplaced or already taken out, and often, the library has only one copy of commonly read books. Worse still, most books are often lent out for long periods, which is both a convenience and a hassle. It’s good for the person who has the one copy of the book, but horrible for everyone else who needs it. My library at home has multiple copies of popular books and is usually very quick to find missing books, which is something a small library can do relatively easily, as opposed to a library with a large, seemingly endless collection. I guess it’s just the natural trade-off between size and efficiency.

Even as an English major, I doubt I will take advantage of the University’s volumes as much as I should, and it’s sad to think that many students will spend four years in Binghamton without borrowing a single book. That is why the University should make a concentrated effort to promote the use of printed materials, before the Internet completely usurps the role of a traditional library.