Geisel Library
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", has resulted in its being featured in the UC San Diego logo and becoming the most recognizable building on campus.
| Geisel Library | |
|---|---|
| Former names | Central Library, University Library |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Brutalist / Futurist |
| Town or city | San Diego, California |
| Country | United States of America |
| Coordinates | 32.88116°N 117.237651°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(s) | 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 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. 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.
Geisel Library is located in the center of the UC San Diego campus. It houses over 7 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. 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. The head of the library system is designated the Audrey Geisel University Librarian, currently Erik T. Mitchell.