Change takes time, and in the case of Geisel Library’s 2nd (main) Floor renovation, it has been years in the making. It’s for this reason, and many more, that we are beyond excited to break ground on the project at the end of fall quarter.
This project, which is part of Phase 3 of the Geisel Library Revitalization Initiative, has come to fruition in response to ongoing assessments of contemporary user needs and traffic patterns, as well as feedback from UC San Diego students, faculty and staff. The renovation will include modern spaces that will allow us to more efficiently serve our patrons and provide a more welcoming visitor experience.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect after you return from the holiday closure, as well as some useful tips for navigating the change:
Hours of Operation
Geisel Library’s hours of operation will remain unchanged. The 24/5 model will still be in effect during renovations. Visit our website for Geisel’s hours of operation.
Entrances
The main entrance at Geisel will be temporarily closed during construction. However, we will have alternate entrances clearly marked by signage to the left and right of the current entrance.
Seating
Despite the temporary construction walls blocking off access to Geisel’s main corridor, there will be no impact on the number of study seats, group study rooms or computers offered throughout the building. Between Geisel Library and the Biomedical Library Building (BLB), we offer approximately 4,200 seats, and that will remain during construction so as not to disrupt our patrons’ use of our spaces. Make a study room reservation or other reservations for January 2 and beyond.
Noise Levels
To minimize any distractions caused by noise that may be present as a result of construction, we will continue to offer complimentary ear plugs, which can be picked up at the Front Desk, which will be temporarily relocated in and near the Seuss Room.
Occupancy Levels
We encourage you to leverage the Waitz app to accurately gauge occupancy levels before you visit Geisel or BLB. This will give you a well-rounded view of which seating areas are most or least occupied at any point in time.
Alternate Study Space
Located on the south end of Library Walk, BLB is available to all UC San Diego affiliates and the public during construction. Visit our website for BLB’s hours of operation.
Stay tuned for the Library’s formal announcement about the renovation, which will appear in January and will include a full scope of the project. In the meantime, you are welcome to check our renovation webpage for updates: lib.ucsd.edu/geisel-renovation.