When the UC Regents decided in the late 1950s to expand the university system to a location in San Diego, they asked renowned architect William Pereira to help identify a suitable site. That site turned out to be a picturesque wooded area near the Torrey Pines coast. The original master plan called for three clusters of colleges linked by roadways to the existing Scripps Institute of Oceanography. A library as compelling as a “Mayan pyramid” would complete the plan and Pereira would become the master architect for this cutting-edge research library. Not only was this a bold statement of an educational institution embracing California’s bright future, but the striking brutalist design of the eight-story building with its concrete pillars and hovering glass floors made this structure an instant San Diego landmark. It was an opportunity, Pereira said, “to reach beyond the library’s practical capacity as a functional building. It must be able to convey to future generations the idea of the power and permanency of the knowledge contained inside.” TAKING SHAPE The $4 million, 176,000-square-foot research library first opened in 1970. It was called the Central University Library due to its location on campus and featured an open stack concept, seminar rooms and study carrels for 1,250 patrons. As the needs of library users evolved over the years, the university modernized the building to accommodate changes in teaching, research, scholarship and community. Thanks to substantial donor support and campus funding, the Library administration undertook major renovations starting with the two-level underground expansion, designed by Gunnar Birkerts, in 1992. Three years after the completion of the underground addition, the building was renamed Geisel Library to honor the late Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel and his widow Audrey S. Geisel in recognition of a $20 million gift from Audrey. Two decades later, Mrs. Geisel donated $3 million to ensure that Geisel Library remains as inspiring on the inside as it is iconic on the outside. The gift launched the Geisel Library Revitalization Initiative (GLRI), an effort to transform the most heavily used areas of the building to meet the changing academic needs of the campus community brought about by growth and technological advances. BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Over the last few years, the GLRI has forged ahead in multiple phases beginning with the construction and grand opening of Audrey’s Café in spring 2016. This was followed by the renovation of Geisel’s 8th (top) Floor, which reopened to patrons in the fall marking the completion of Phase 2. Now, the next and most expansive chapter of the Initiative, Phase 3.1, is ramping CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
While the role of the Library has gradually evolved over the last half-century, one thing
FIFTEEN YEARS OF CELEBRATING THE LIBRARY On September 21, friends and close supporters gathered at the 15th annual Dinner in the Library to celebrate the completion of Phase 2 of the Geisel Library Revitalization Initiative and the generosity that has allowed such an ambitious Initiative to come to fruition. The colorful gala was the first event held on the newly renovated 8th Floor where the space was transformed into an elegant dining room set amidst modern bookshelves and study spaces. More than 100 guests were greeted by panoramic views of the campus, from eucalyptus groves to the west, Library Walk to the south and an incredible view of “Fallen Star” to the east — a highlight of the campus’ Stuart Collection of public art. This year’s Dinner, chaired by Jeanne Jones, featured San Diego-raised novelist and UC San Diego alumnus, Luis Alberto Urrea ‘77, who gave a heartfelt and inspirational speech. “When I got to UC San Diego, I wanted to be a visual artist, an actor or a writer. I started taking English classes and reading Latin American authors that I had never heard of — Jorge Borges, Gabriel García Márquez and Pablo Neruda,” Urrea said. “My academic interests started gravitating toward writing, so I took classes, learned how to write and joined the campus literary magazine.” In his senior year, Urrea was looking forward to graduation day with excitement and anticipation — then tragedy struck. “My father died in the hands of Mexican cops during finals week of winter quarter. I came back to school with a heavy heart. I couldn’t process it all, so I started writing,” Urrea explained. He wrote about the pain of losing his father and encouraged by professor Lowry Pei, finished a story in time for Pei to give it to celebrated science fiction author Ursula K. Le Guin.
a place of discovery, a source of inspiration
“Ursula took me under her wing, she was my discoverer and she bought my first writing piece,” Urrea reflected. “I got through it all and graduated. I could not have imagined such a thing. She changed my life and coached me for years on how to be a writer.”
and a centerpiece for community.
Watch the full video of Urrea’s riveting talk at uctv.tv/library-channel.
remains the same: it is a sanctuary of academia,
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