I've never liked them.
I was very confused the first time I entered a Japanese library. It all starts with a bit of a misunderstanding.
My image of 'study' in Japan is something that happens alone. A student sitting quietly at a desk with a book open and taking some notes.
However, in America, 'study' is different. Of course we study alone at a desk just like in Japan. But, often we study as a group. Not just multiple people studying at the same place, but multiple people talking about the topic, working through problems together, and teaching each other.
In order to study as a group, it is necessary to talk out loud. This is where the problem starts.
I studied abroad at Hiroshima University for one year. Near the beginning, I decided to go study at the library with a Japanese friend. Entering the building, the first thing I noticed was the oppressive silence. No one made a sound. You could hear a pin drop.
We sat down at a table and pulled out our books. I asked my friend a question in, what I thought was a reasonably low voice. However, the response was a sharp look and a whispered warning that I shouldn't talk in the library.
How can we study together if we can't talk?
Luckily I had my mp3 player with me so I could listen to some music. Otherwise, it would have been too quiet to study. I like some calm quiet background music while I study or work. I have many playlists dedicated to it.
I gave up on the library. If I want to study alone, I could just study at my dorm room where it was much more comfortable. I often stopped at the campus cafe before going home and studied at the counter. If a friend came, I could take a break and have a chat or, heavens forbid, we could even study together!
Returning home after my study abroad, my university had finished building a new library. It turned out to be the perfect place to study. The main floor is comfortable with couches and low tables and you can talk freely. The second floor has big tables for groups to sit and study together. The 3rd and 4th floors are quiet study spaces with individual desks and no talking is allowed. Finally there are many rooms where you can talk, even loudly, to practice presentations or other louder activities.
Selfishly, I hope Japanese libraries can change as well. But, I know that this will never happen.