Geisel Library

Geisel Library
Map
Former namesCentral Library, University Library
General information
Architectural styleBrutalist / Futurist
Town or citySan Diego, California
CountryUnited States of America
Coordinates32°52′52″N 117°14′16″W / 32.88116°N 117.237651°W / 32.88116; -117.237651
Construction started1968
Completed1970
Renovated1993
Cost$5.12 million
ClientUniversity of California San Diego
Height110 ft.
Dimensions
Diameter200 ft.
Technical details
Structural systemReinforced concrete
Floor count8
Design and construction
Architect(s)William L. Pereira & Associates
Structural engineerBrandow & Johnston
Services engineerFrumhoff & Cohen (electrical)
J.L. Hengstler & Associates (mechanical)
Main contractorNielsen Construction
Swinerton Builders
UC San Diego's distinctive Geisel Library, named for Theodor Seuss Geisel ("Dr. Seuss") and featured in UC San Diego's logo
Geisel Library at daytime
View of Geisel Library at daytime, seen from a path on the terrace level

Geisel Library is the main library building of the University of California, San Diego. It is named in honor of Audrey and Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as children's author Dr. Seuss. The building's distinctive architecture, described as occupying "a fascinating nexus between brutalism and futurism",[1] has made it an iconic and widely recognized building on campus. The library is located in the center of the UC San Diego campus.

The library was designed by William Pereira and opened in 1970 as the Central Library. It was renovated in 1993 and rededicated as the University Library Building, and renamed Geisel Library in 1995.[2] The UC San Diego Library consists of Geisel Library and the Sally T. WongAvery Library, with off-campus locations at Scripps Archives and Library Annex, the Trade Street Storage Annex, and the UC Southern Regional Library Facility. The head of the library system is designated the Audrey Geisel University Librarian, currently Erik T. Mitchell.[3]

The library houses over seven million volumes to support the educational and research objectives of the university. It also contains the Mandeville Special Collections and Archives, which houses the Dr. Seuss Collection, which contains original drawings, sketches, proofs, notebooks, manuscript drafts, books, audio and videotapes, photographs, and memorabilia.[4] The approximately 8,500 items in the collection document the full range of Dr. Seuss's creative achievements, beginning in 1919 with his high school activities and ending with his death in 1991.

  1. ^ Langdon, David (11 November 2014). "AD Classics: Geisel Library / William L. Pereira & Associates". ArchDaily. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  2. ^ "About the Geisel Building". About the Libraries. UCSD Libraries. Archived from the original on 2014-01-02. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
  3. ^ Kolupailo, Nikki (February 27, 2018). "UC San Diego Names Erik T. Mitchell New Audrey Geisel University Librarian". UCSD News. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Seuss was invoked but never defined (see the help page).