Geisel Library

The Geisel Library is the main library building on the University of California, San Diego campus and contains four of the five libraries located on campus.  The building is named in honor of Audrey and Theodor Seuss Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss) for the generous contributions they have made to the library and their devotion to improving literacy. The Geisels were long-time residents of La Jolla, where UC San Diego is located. The distinctive original building was designed in the late 1960s by William Pereira to sit at the head of a canyon. William Pereira & Associates prepared a detailed report in 1969. Considering the location, Pereira originally conceived of a spherical building resting atop a pedestal, with the structural elements on the inside. After several drafts of this ball-shaped design, the structural elements were deemed as being too space-consuming, and they were moved to the outside of the structure, essentially resulting in the current "lantern" design. Pereira envisioned that future additions to the original building would form terraced levels around the tower base descending into the canyon. The tower is a prime example of brutalist architecture. It rises 8 stories to a height of 110 ft (33.5 m). The four upper stories of the tower itself house the SSHL and East Asia collections. The TV series Simon & Simon featured the library in its opening credits. Geisel Library made an appearance as the exterior of a research lab in Killer Tomatoes Strike Back, the third movie in the cult film series Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. The science fiction novel Rainbows End includes a major subplot focusing on the library. Referred to as the "Chatky Headquarters in Kyoto" in a Kohler commercial. The 2004 film Funky Monkey features several scenes filmed in and on the grounds of the library. Used in the film The Proud American (shooting date 2/17/08) The TV series Mission: Impossible featured the library in the last episode filmed ("The Pendulum") as the "World Resources Ltd." headquarters. (aired 2/23/73) The library was referenced by Ted Mosby in the How I Met Your Mother episode Mosbius Designs Opening sequence of Veronica Mars episode from 11/29/06, filmed at the Warren Mall of UCSD and featuring shots of various landmarks, including Geisel Library. The 2010 film Inception has a snow fortress that is very similar in structure to Geisel.