Geisel Library
Geisel Library
4.5
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4.5
46 reviews
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33
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11
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MaruBV
Mexico City, Mexico291 contributions
Nov 2019
Beautiful architecture and an amazing collection and services of UCSD. The library also has an amazing g exhibit of the archives and collection of Theus Seuss Geisel (named on his behalf), Dr. Seuss.
Written 23 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy M
La Jolla, CA33 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
I was a student right after the library was built, and I still take visitors to see this magnificent structure. It is a thing of beauty. Not only is the architecture reminiscent of the space age, but there is an outdoor sculpture leading up to the building that's breathtakingly unique. What's even better is the functionality of the book delivery system. Geisel Library is not to be missed.
Written 29 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rumples
Tucson, AZ11,762 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
I found visiting Geisel Library on the UC San Diego campus to be a most worthwhile investment of my vacation time. As an architecture buff, I think it is a wonderful example of brutalist style, which I generally dislike. This library, however, shows off more than the style's basic features, such as reinforced concrete and a massive geometric form. It displays bands of windows and has an interesting shape that reminds me of the spaceships I have seen in films. The university has adopted the building as its symbol and surrounded the immediate area with works from the Stuart Collection of public art.
For example, the 560-foot-long Snake Path by Alexis Smith twists toward the approach to the library. One component of Terry Allen's Trees stands guard outside. Inside, the lobby entrance features John Baldessari's Read/Write/Think/Dream. And the top-floor windows offer a good view of Fallen Star by Do Ho Suh on top of a 7-story engineering building opposite.
Named after Audrey and Theodor (Dr. Seuss) Geisel, the library holds the Dr. Seuss collection of original drawings, books, manuscript drafts, etc. A free temporary exhibition -- Dr. Seuss's Boids & Beasties -- featured some of the drawings in display cases on the main floor when I visited. They were fun to look at and can be seen through Oct. 1, 2017.
Geisel Library stands almost in the center of the main campus. The closest parking structure, where we parked for $2 an hour, is Hopkins on Voigt Drive. On weekends, parking is free.
For example, the 560-foot-long Snake Path by Alexis Smith twists toward the approach to the library. One component of Terry Allen's Trees stands guard outside. Inside, the lobby entrance features John Baldessari's Read/Write/Think/Dream. And the top-floor windows offer a good view of Fallen Star by Do Ho Suh on top of a 7-story engineering building opposite.
Named after Audrey and Theodor (Dr. Seuss) Geisel, the library holds the Dr. Seuss collection of original drawings, books, manuscript drafts, etc. A free temporary exhibition -- Dr. Seuss's Boids & Beasties -- featured some of the drawings in display cases on the main floor when I visited. They were fun to look at and can be seen through Oct. 1, 2017.
Geisel Library stands almost in the center of the main campus. The closest parking structure, where we parked for $2 an hour, is Hopkins on Voigt Drive. On weekends, parking is free.
Written 27 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marjorie C
La Jolla, CA30 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
The building is a wonder to see, but the snake part leading to it is even better. Take the time to walk the path and enjoy being in another world for awhile.
Written 31 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelNReviewer
San Diego152 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
The architect who designed this building gets a gold star. A cantilever design that seems to defy gravity, creating an open, well lit environment. If you visit the UCSD campus, you should visit and see the Dr. Seuss exhibit on the first floor. It's called Geisel Library because the benefactor, Theodore Geisel, is none other than the famous Dr. Suess of the beloved childrens books. It's free to go in and you can read all day in very comfortable chairs. One of the finest respository of books around and nearby the Price Center food court and shopping.
Written 11 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lonewolf44
Kingston upon Thames, UK1,303 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
The USC Sixth Campus at La Jolla is home to this extraordinary library building, named for Dr Seuss himself who spent the last years of his life in San Diego and La Jolla, You can approach it from the Engineering faculty buildings by climbing up a path painted to resemble a rattlesnake which helps you appreciate the striking design. The entrance is below and with the stained glass sliding doors it is, to all intents and purposes. like entering a cathedral of study. It is silent. The Dr Seuss Room on the ground floor is actually a lecture theatre but there are some of his drawings on display. While you're there check out Do Ho Suh's 'Fallen Star', the light blue house apparently hanging over the top of nearby Engineering 1. If you go up to the 7th floor you see an apparently normal little house (the original is in Providence, RI) and garden through the glass. It's supposedly open to the public from 11-2 Tues-Thurs but on this Wednesday it manifestly wasn't. I was still glad I took the elevator up to have a closer look at it though. And USCD can be reached by express bus 150 or slower bus 30 from the Old Town Transit Centre or the Downtown in San Diego - it's $7 for a day pass.
Written 22 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jean P
Oklahoma City, OK68 contributions
Mar 2015 • Business
The Geisel Library, named in honor of Theodore Geisel (Dr. Suess) is an amazing library. The architecture reminded me of a space ship or a Seuss drawing. The day I was there, there was a small collection of Suess sketches which were fun to see. The library appears to try to welcome students in a wide variety of ways - from an extensive collection of written literature to collaborative work areas, from jigsaw puzzle breaks to treadmill study desks, from model airplane displays to indoor plants. Outside, Dr. Suess and the Cat work on a new book.
Written 15 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicole L
61 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
This building was probably the highlight of our UCSD tour and when I think of UCSD, this building is the image that pops into my mind.
Written 2 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carlo W
Shanghai87 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
It does have something. As soon as you see the building of the library with its rugged, industrial and raw looks it captures you. Mind you, if you go on a hot sunny day like we did there is an added feeling of this, as the power of the Californian Sun adds to the power of the building in itself.
Once inside we visited the highly inspiring exhibition of Dr. Seuss's work - what a wonderful mind who dared to depict elements of human's delightfully absurd thought processes on paper by winding them into stories that kids and adults understand - in their own way. Really loved it.
The staff was helpful at all times and helped our kids have a real blast.
Recommeded for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby beaches.
Once inside we visited the highly inspiring exhibition of Dr. Seuss's work - what a wonderful mind who dared to depict elements of human's delightfully absurd thought processes on paper by winding them into stories that kids and adults understand - in their own way. Really loved it.
The staff was helpful at all times and helped our kids have a real blast.
Recommeded for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby beaches.
Written 26 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
permia
Ireland66,169 contributions
Oct 2019
While not normally enamoured of Brutalist architecture, this is a singular exception. It is probably the most distinctive building on campus.
Completed in 1970, it was renamed Geisel in 1995 in honour of Audrey and Theodor Seuss Geisel, the latter being the famous author of children’s books, writing as Dr. Seuss. They were generous donors to the library and always promoted literacy.
Completed in 1970, it was renamed Geisel in 1995 in honour of Audrey and Theodor Seuss Geisel, the latter being the famous author of children’s books, writing as Dr. Seuss. They were generous donors to the library and always promoted literacy.
Written 11 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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