Letters to the Library 2026

During the month of February, we asked you to write us and let the Library know how your on-going relationship with us is going. Check out the love song playlist and a break up song playlist lovingly put together by Library staff.

We received over 39 letters during this annual event. Please enjoy reading the heartfelt letters sent in by library users.

Winning Letters

Love Letters

Dear UCSD library and beloved librarians, Since Fall 2020, you've been my constant companion through the uncertain early days of graduate school and every challenge that followed. While so much of the world felt unstable, you remained a steady presence, an inviting sanctuary, and a place where I could both lose and find my academic self. To the GIS librarian who patiently guided me through spatial data (Amy, you're a superstar), making the overwhelming feel possible: thank you. To every staff member who helped me track down dozens of books—some for research, others for the simple joy of getting lost in a novel—you've fed both my mind and my soul (thank you, Annelise, for so many of these!). And to whoever trusted me with that puzzle on honor loan that's been slowly coming together on my dining table these past weeks, you've given me something beyond my academic goals in these tangible moments of peace and a reminder that some things are worth taking time to complete... not unlike my PhD :) You've become my community. Truly, you've been one of the most steadfast forces in my graduate school journey. So this is both a soon-to-be goodbye and an I love you forever. I look forward to carrying you all with me in my next chapter. With deep gratitude and affection, L. U.

I love your period products in the bathroom. It always comes in handy when I don't have a pad on me and I need one urgently. I also like how I'm able to borrow chargers because it's a lifesaver when I forgot mine at home and I have an important task to complete.

Just want to say thanks for the very helpful and friendly staff for their help with everything they do at the library and also for having so many resources for us. I love this library!

Dear Geisel, I go to you every day. Your sleeping pods are the best. I live in First Floor West and I wish you were open 24/7. You’re like a second home to me. If you weren’t on this campus, I would cry because you mean so much to me. I wake up at 7 am every day just to go inside of you. I very much do enjoy going to sleep at the tables because of Dragon Boat Geiselgoers. I will have a wonderful time in Geisel for the next few years. You will be missed when I’m gone.

Love all the kind staff (from custodians to librarians), love ILL (omg!), love all the incredible features I’ve yet to explore for the first time or in more depth, love the research workshops, love the space.

Geisel folks, stay classy! You all are amazing! Sending much love and thanks for all the effort and care.

Thank you for everything you guys provide!

To the UCSD Library Team, I’m sitting here thinking about my time on campus, and I realized I don’t say this enough 'I’m kind of obsessed with what you’ve built here.' Geisel isn’t just a place where I hide away reading a book when the research deadlines stress me; it actually feels like it’s on my side. There are a few things that consistently make my day, and I wanted to make sure you knew about them: > Interlibrary Loans: Honestly, it feels like magic. Every time I need something obscure and you manage to track it down from across different libraries and campuses, it feels like a personal win. > Paper Access: Nothing kills my momentum like a paywall. The fact that I can jump into almost any research paper without a hitch is a total lifesaver. It makes the actual learning part so much smoother. > The De-stress Activities: This might be my favorite part. College is a lot, and seeing a craft table or a de-stress event set up in the middle of a heavy week is like a deep breath. It’s a reminder that you care about us as people, not just as students. Thanks for being the best study partner I could ask for. I really appreciate the heart you put into this space. See you at the next de-stress event!

Dear Geisel, Where to start... I love that your corner seats on the upper levels of the library. Especially facing the little blue house in Warren. I love that you have chargers I can use when I don't bring mine. I love that you have puzzles even though I don't contribute. I love your private bathrooms, not the shared ones though... I love your colorful murals by the entrance. I even love all your outdoor pathways that make my walk shorter. ILY GEISEL

To the beautiful Wong Avery, They say your soulmate should see you at your worst, not just your best. That despite your differences, you can trust in one another, bare your soul, exist seamlessly. Because of you, I trust this definition to be true. I remember visiting you often during 3rd year so that we could study for my midterm together (that I ended up doing great at, definitely as a result of you and your quiet, friendly atmosphere). I brought my friends to come see you, who adored your natural lighting and abundance of books. And with two floors, there's so many wonderful places to sit and read. Yet I remember visiting you during some of my darkest hours. A friendly "hello" and a "have a good day" exchanged with your librarians kept me from spiraling further away. I go to you for more than just the good times. I can trust you with my worst. Which is why writing this letter hurts more than I can say. In just four short months, I will graduate and have to leave you. I'm not sure when I will be back, if ever. I couldn't bear to tell you in person. Even though soon I will be far, far away, trust me when I say that I won't be quick to forget your kindness. You've given me a place to cry, a place to celebrate, a place to laugh (quietly) while procrastinating homework. A place to study with friends while scrawling equations on white boards. A place to just exist for a while behind the line of bookshelves. Just me and you while the world passes by. And I know you've done this for hundreds more. I leave you in good hands. Yours dearly, I.C

Dear Geisel , Thank you for giving me books to read, a study space to learn in and a place for me and friends to bond. Im so lucky to have been able to have the opportunity to be here and give me a good environment to study in. Every time i pass by you , you inspire me to keep following my dreams and be ambitous .

Thankful to the library that offers me a space to further my education in a quite an peaceful environment. Enjoying the refreshments that allow me to focus studying for me midterms and finals. Grateful for the relaxing breaks that you provide. Keep up the hard work Geisel Library.

I would love you more if there were tables with many outlets. But you’re good to me <3

Dear Geisel, People love you so much that they want to return to 24/5! I know it's not possible, but I'm, glad students appreciate this space and the puzzles! Shout out to the custodial staff for their hard work! Geisel taught me to love my library!!

Dear Geisel, this year we’ve had our ups and downs. Mostly downs. Even thought you cheated on me with the entire school I still stuck by you. Even though I lost my family and friends, you’re the one person I could always could on. I can’t wait to start this next quarter with you and to have 24 hour access to you. Don’t listen to other people when they call you smelly, I love your stench , I stay up at night thinking about it. Anyway love you babe

Dear UCSD Library, I transferred to UCSD last summer, and since then, you have become one of the most important places in my life. As a transfer student, everything felt new and a little overwhelming at first. New campus, new people, new expectations. But every time I walked into the library, I felt a sense of calm and stability. It became my safe and quiet space. I have spent countless hours here — studying for midterms, working on papers, reviewing notes, and sometimes just sitting quietly to think. The quiet floors help me focus. The soft background noise makes me feel less alone. Even during stressful weeks, being in the library gives me comfort. More than just a study space, the library feels like a steady presence in my college journey. It has seen my anxiety before exams, my late-night study sessions, and my small moments of accomplishment. In many ways, it has supported me silently. Thank you for being a place where I can feel grounded, productive, and safe. I truly appreciate you more than I can express. With gratitude, Snow

Greetings Giesel, The month of February is so short, and yet my love for you will always continue. This year, I have experienced the canon transition from on campus dorm to off campus housing. While my house is where I sleep and reset every night, you are my home. Thank you, for being there for me when my eyes were heavy and my head craved a place to rest. Thank you for fulfilling my most emotional and physical needs to feel warm paper from your printer between my hands. Thank you for providing a headquarter of some sorts for my friends and I to meet, only to find solace in your chairs. Every quarter, I become more and more enthralled by you. And even more so now, now that you are opening up your doors for me 24 hours. I look forward to seeing more of us next quarter and I hope we continue towards our futures together. Love, M

I haven't visited the Library as often as I should, but whenever I do, I really enjoy the quiet space my friend showed me. She brought me to the far end of first floor east near the plants and that has been my go to spot to this day.

Break Up Letters

To the UCSD Library Team, I’m writing this with a bit of a heavy heart because, as much as I love our time together, there are a few things making it hard for us to stay "exclusive." I’m not ready to call it quits just yet, but I think we need to talk about some things that aren’t quite working for me. I’ve been struggling with our eBook system, and it’s started to feel like a bit of a barrier in our relationship. Specifically: The Physical Copy Hurdle: It’s frustrating that if an eBook exists, the option for a physical Interlibrary Loan seems to disappear. Sometimes, I just really need the paper version to study effectively, and being forced into the digital copy feels a bit restrictive. The Digital "Leash": The current eBook interface is pretty tough to use. Being restricted to a specific website for a temporary window means I can’t easily read on my phone while I’m commuting or away from my laptop. It makes the reading experience feel a bit tethered and inconvenient. On a lighter note, I’d love to see our "personality" grow a bit! I find myself looking for an escape sometimes—could we maybe see more fiction added to the collection? Having more stories to get lost in would definitely make me want to spend more time here. I really value everything the library provides, but these changes would make it so much easier for me to keep coming back. Still a fan (but hoping for change).

Dear Geisel: Do you remember those days we spent twenty four hours together? Do you remember those romantic days that we are tired, and I just slept beside you? I believe you never remenber them, since it never happens, cause I am a 28' student and when I entered UCSD u are already not 24-hours opened :(. Hope you can soon turn back to 24 hours. I will be looking forwards for our romantic relationship again. Miss you in the midnight (3 o clock) Six-Seven

Dear Library, I am officially breaking up with you because you are NOT there for me at all times and especially on days that I need you. You close early on certain days, the days when I need to go to you to study, when I have midterms, and when I just need a place to sit and rot. You are also crowded all the time and too many people have access to you.

ur not open 24 hours, im heartbroken

I am breaking up with Chancellor Khosla for taking away 24 hr Geisel. He can have me back when he returns our library.

All I wished For three whole years Was to spend an all nighter In Geisel’s study sphere For the only time To escape the crowd Were the midnight hours With tranquility abound But now alas You have left in the night No warning or apology Not a single window left alight So I must say goodbye I can see you no more For if in darkness you won’t see me In light for you I won’t adore You were the one Who left me first And now you wonder why For Price I thirst Price now holds The key to my heart For it does not desert me When light departs Goodbye Geisel We had some good times But even after it all Our bond was sublime Though it ended In silence without a fight I still regret I never got the chance to spend the night

dearest geisel, when in the course of human events it becomes necessary for a library to relinquish its obsession with you, you tend to gaslight yourself into thinking that the eight floors of germs actually needed you. yes, geisel, this is why i’m breaking up with you. your relentless circulation of toxicity contaminates your airways as well as mine. you’ve become entrenched in your obsolete ways, holding onto all that baggage when i told you i would get you a therapist! it’s almost like you said you would help me with my schoolwork, so why won’t you let me help you? i digress, however, this codependency wherein you always want me inside you and how i always give in to you is not healthy. my new friend (your neighbor miss hammocks) has taught me that i deserve better. better comfort, space to breathe, and an openness to my ideas. while you have served me well, you have become parasitic in your pervasiveness. please, for the love of theodor, let me go. —Tae

Dear Giesel Library, I hope your staff are merry. Because they have done a good job making Giesel not that scary. Could it be better? Not very. Do I wish Friday and Saturday had longer hours? Yeah, more than barely.

Unfortunately I’ve seen ants on the cubbies on the first floor, which makes me less likely to study at Geisel…

Dear Geisel Library Hello, I am senior student at UCSD. I heard Geisel was opened 24 hours a few years ago. I don’t understand why you close early now. We need space to study. I hope you open 24hours everyday someday. But I still like Library. The wonderful architecture in SD ever

Library, I love you dearly. You have been there for me through thick and thin. I fear our relationship has become somewhat unstable due to the lack of desk lighting options on the corridors of the first floor, near the egg chairs. The dimness makes me feel quite sleepy while I work. I fear I have been seeing other libraries... I hope you can forgive me, someday...

Dear library, Bring back 24/7 Geisel! Happy Valentine's Day.

I am tired of being kicked out at 11:30pm, library hours need to be extended to at least 2am if not made to be 24/7 during peak exam seasons. Also, the song they use makes it so that you can't lock in or finish up whatever assignment you have due at midnight.

Dear my beloved library, I think its time to end things between us. Although this is not because of you, I always feel sad or stressed out when I'm with you, as I come to lock in for midterms or work on important assignments. However, the elevators stress me out. For example, when I'm on the first floor, the elevators take forever to come. I'm too tired after studying to walk up the stairs and a line slowly forms. Additionally, I would have loved an online tour of every floor, as I only discovered the 8th floor a while ago. It was completely not what I expected and I wished I found it sooner (usually study on the more open floors). I also don't like how you close so early, especially on Fridays. I don't have time to go out and would love to study more. These short hours tend to make me stay in my dorm or study in other places. I wish we could fix this, but alast I don't know.

Dear Geisel, You may be popular, but not loyal to me— Halls too full, plugs too few, chairs far from comfy. I search for space—just one quiet nook— Yet every desk’s taken, every outlet I overlook. Your glow at sunset sets my heart aflame, But you close too soon; it’s such a shame. If only you’d expand, add comfort and light— A haven of pod‑chairs with sockets in sight. Maybe then we’d thrive, our bond renewed, In private study rooms, my thoughts pursued. But for now, dear Geisel, our spark falls apart, You vanish at dusk while I toil past dark. Your almost lover, as I depart, To WongAvery’s arms and 24‑hour heart, ~Grad Students

The library is a nice place to study, but keep it open 24 hours again! It is distracting to move out for a lock in session…

U could have apologized

Dear Geisel, I can’t believe it’s come to this. One and a half years of lows.. highs… mostly lows. Truly an unforgettable relationship. But, this isn’t right. I have to tell you something. You know I love you, and that I would never, never, in a million years do something to hurt you. But the quarter system changes a man. And finals week… well.. I made some mistakes. It’s just, this long distance thing wasn’t working. I live in seventh, and you live in library walk. It’s just worlds apart. And by worlds I mean a half hour walk because the buses don’t run past 6pm on weekends–and neither do you. I mean, what was I supposed to do? A man has needs, and you don’t even care about me. It’s like the 8th floor when I’m talking to you–complete silence. I mean, what’s up with this “Audrey” woman who’s always with you? And the other man–the chancellor or whatever? I mean, clearly you had other priorities. So yeah, was I wrong to use Northbreak when you weren’t available? Maybe. But that’s just it; you weren’t available. You’re just like the books on your shelves, always checked out. You just–you just don’t get it. I have feelings too! Northbreak is quiet, accommodating, and they are ALWAYS open. Whereas you, you’re barely open during the weekdays, let alone the weekends. What are you doing alone at night? A rendezvous with Audrey? Having a midnight tryst with the chancellor?! People might admire your architecture, but I know. On the inside you’re just hollow. And I’m like the third floor to you, I don’t even exist. Will I miss your stupid standing treadmill desks? Yeah. And your even stupider bottom floor table setup things? Yeah. Yeah, I will. But you’re taking more from me than you’re giving back. You can take your East Wing and your West Wing and fly away. You know, I don’t think I’m ever really gonna stop loving you. But it’s over. If you see me tabling on library walk, don’t bother opening your doors. Insincerely, Your ex

Dear Geisel, Thank you for an amazing 4 years. You've been a fun study spot and an even better workplace! I still remember sophomore year, staying until 3 am studying math. You were so rowdy and fun. I've also had nothing but great experiences working here, so even though we're separating at the end of the school year, I'll always remember you. It's been a great 4 years, cheers!

You broke my heart when I was doing homework on a friday and all of the sudden, you turned your lights off at 5:30pm. I thought this would last longer :(

Dear Geisel, I am unfortunately breaking up with you because it is hard to find seating to study during midterm/finals week. I wish this could've worked out if there were more study rooms or even a few more seating. I loved all our moments together such as sight seeing dates, sunset watching dates, but most importantly our late night studying sessions. I also wish our coffee dates at Aubreys wouldnt leave me with a sore throat by the end of it (my throat hurt after drinking a mocha there, very very dark mocha for some reason like they forgot the milk or something). Im sorry it ended this way. Lots of love & care forever, a first year

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