Geisel Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Geisel Library |
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| Former names | Central Library, University Library |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Brutalist / Futurist |
| Town or city | San Diego, California |
| Country | United States of America |
| Coordinates | 32°52′52″N 117°14′15″W / 32.8812°N 117.2375°W |
| Construction started | 1968 |
| Completed | 1970 |
| Renovated | 1993 |
| Cost | $5.12 million |
| Client | University of California San Diego |
| Height | 110 ft. |
| Dimensions | |
| Diameter | 200 ft. |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Reinforced concrete |
| Floor count | 8 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | William L. Pereira & Associates |
| Structural engineer | Brandow & Johnston |
| Services engineer | Frumhoff & Cohen (electrical) J.L. Hengstler & Associates (mechanical) |
| Main contractor | Nielsen Construction Swinerton Builders |
The Geisel Library is the main library at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). It's named after Dr. Seuss (whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel) and his wife, Audrey Geisel. This building has a very unique look. It's so special that it's even part of the UCSD logo! Many people think it's the most famous building on campus.
The library was designed by William Pereira. It first opened in 1970 as the Central Library. It was updated in 1993 and then renamed Geisel Library in 1995. The UCSD Library system includes Geisel Library and the Biomedical Library Building. There are also other storage places for books and materials.
Geisel Library is in the middle of the UCSD campus. It holds over 7 million books and other items. These help students and researchers learn and discover new things. The library also has the Mandeville Special Collections and Archives. This is where you can find the amazing Dr. Seuss Collection. It has original drawings, sketches, notes, and even photos from Dr. Seuss's life. This collection has about 8,500 items. They show his creative work from 1919 until he passed away in 1991.
Contents
Library History
In 1958, people started planning a science and library building for UCSD. The first science library was in Urey Hall. But as the university grew, they needed a main library. The head of the university, John Semple Galbraith, wanted UCSD to have one of the best libraries in the University of California system.
He asked architect William Pereira to design a master plan for the university's center. This plan included the main library building. Pereira designed the library to look like a tower. It was meant to hold many books and be easy to use. The design also allowed for future parts of the library to be added later.
Construction of the first part of the library began in 1968. The main floors were built first to create the base. The tower was finished in December 1969. The library officially opened in March 1971.
The Central Library, along with other smaller libraries, helped the growing university for many years. In 1990, they started building a large, two-story underground addition. This project also updated the existing building for safety. It cost $38 million and was finished in 1993. In 1995, Audrey Geisel gave $20 million to the UCSD Library. She had also given $2.3 million worth of her husband's original works in 1991. Because of her generous gifts, the library was renamed Geisel Library.
Over the years, some other UCSD library buildings were updated or closed. In 2011, several smaller libraries were closed. Their collections were moved into Geisel Library. This happened because of budget cuts. In 2015, the library started another renovation. This included building a café called Audrey's on the main level.
Building Design
The unique original building was designed in the late 1960s by William Pereira. It sits at the top of a canyon. The building's arches and different floor levels are meant to look like hands holding up a stack of books. Pereira first thought about using steel for the building. But they changed it to reinforced concrete to save money. This change also allowed for a more artistic design.
The plan was for future additions to the building to step down into the canyon. These new parts were designed to be less noticeable than the main tower. Inside its two underground levels are other library sections. There are also study areas and computer labs. The tower itself has 8 stories and is 110 feet (33.5 meters) tall. The top five stories hold book collections, quiet study spots, and group study rooms.
At the library entrance, you'll see an artwork called READ/WRITE/THINK/DREAM. It was created by John Baldessari. Inside the library, there's also a life-size bronze statue of Dr. Seuss and his famous character, The Cat in the Hat.
Snake Path
On the east side of the library, there's a special path called Snake Path. It's part of the Stuart Collection of art. This path is 560 feet long and made of slate tiles. It winds its way towards the library. Along the path, you'll see a giant granite book called Paradise Lost. There's also a small garden of fruit trees.
The Missing Third Floor
One interesting thing about the library is how the floors are numbered. The lower levels are 1 and 2. The upper floors are 4 to 8. This makes people wonder why there's no third floor.
A popular story says that the building wasn't strong enough for all the books. So, the third floor had to be left empty. This is a common myth about many university libraries.
But the truth is simpler! The "missing" third floor is actually an open outdoor area. It's a concrete platform outside the library. This area was meant for art displays, music, and outdoor meetings. The doors to this area are usually locked for safety. They are only used in emergencies or by staff. There's also a "3.5" floor. This floor has utility connections and wiring for the upper levels. It's mostly for maintenance.
Library Collections
The UCSD Library has over 7 million digital and print items. Most of these are grouped by subject. But the library also has some very special collections. The Mandeville Special Collections and Archives include:
- American Institute of Wine & Food Culinary Collection
- Archive for New Poetry
- Baja California Collection
- California, San Diego, & the History of the West
- Don Cameron Allen Renaissance Collection
- Dr. Seuss Collection: This collection has about 8,500 items from Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss). It includes original drawings, sketches, notes, books, and photos. The Dr. Seuss collection is very delicate. Only researchers with special permission can access it.
- East Asia Collection
- Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages: This collection was given to UCSD in 1974. It's one of the best collections about early sea voyages and discoveries in the Pacific Ocean. It has more than 2,000 items from the 16th to the mid-19th century. You can find ship logs from whaling trips and records from botanists who traveled by sea.
- The San Diego Technology Archive
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography Collections
- Southworth Spanish Civil War Collection
- Tuzin Archive for Melanesian Anthropology
- Twentieth-Century Science & Public Policy
- UC San Diego Archives
Other Library Buildings
After some changes in 2011, Geisel Library and the Biomedical Library building are the main libraries on campus. Other library materials are stored at the Trade Street Storage Annex and the UC Southern Regional Library Facility at UCLA.
Images for kids
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Bronze statue of Dr. Seuss and his character The Cat in the Hat
See also
In Spanish: Biblioteca Geisel para niños
