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 100 letters during this annual event. Please enjoy reading the heartfelt letters sent in by library users. Due to the sheer volume of letters, we could not highlight them all.
Winning Letters
Love Letters
Thank you to the friendly helpful staff, especially to us freshmen who have no idea where anything is 😅, I'd also like to express my appreciation for the reserve since it allows me to scan my necessary readings without having to purchase the $45 textbooks 🙏. Sincerely, Anonymous
I really like Geisel library! I first of all like the general layout of Geisel. I love East specifically, because of Audrey's, and then I like going to the first floor since it is more quiet and all the art books are there. I love the area with the greenery, and how sunlight is allowed to come down even though you're on the first floor. I love all the different types of books. I love the art exhibits because they're in an area where I always see them and wander over for another look - even if i'm not trying to look at it. I like how easy it is to check out books, and how there's automatic renewals, and we can keep them for a long time. I like the little desks that separate everyone. Sincerely, Anonymous
Dear Geisel, I wanted to tell you something, and I decided it would be easier to write it than say it to your concrete face. I don’t even know if you can hear me with your 15,000 ears, or see me with your 15,000 eyes, but I know you must be able to read. You’re a library after all. You are always the place I can go whenever my roommate is playing music too loud, or when it’s too cold outside to study at a picnic table. You can be a little brutal, especially when I’m trying to find a place to sit. But I eventually find that perfect corner, quiet or surrounded by the conversations of my fellow students, out in the open or enclosed in a sealed-off box of learning. There I am like Schrödinger's cat, and my professor has no idea whether I’ve done my homework or not until they open up the box and I turn in my problem set. I pity the student who decides to not engage with you, Geisel, because they’ll miss out on the meetings with therapy dogs, the supplemental instruction leaders, the free, borrowable copy of that book I needed for my class. I don’t really care how busy you say your levels are, Geisel. I always find myself returning to your endless shelves, because I know that I can always find a place there. Sincerely, Anonymous
The way you make me feel cannot justly be encapsulated into words. There is an embrace to be felt by your welcoming aura. Everyone adores you, even if you do not see it or feel it. You can provide for me no matter how I’m feeling. If I’m overwhelmed, you offer me silence and show me the beauty of my surroundings. When I need a pick me up, you have coffee readily available. You are brilliant and you seem to contain all of Earth’s knowledge which inspires me to ask you every question I can think of. You are an image to marvel. You are loved and appreciated. <3 Anonymous
Oh Geisel, I hope you never forget just how much I love you. Never. I love you from your study spaces on second floor, to the sparkle in your windows, to your random books on sixth floor. I feel entranced by you, like Eve is by the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. You have a special way of turning my brain on. You make me feel like I'm an academic weapon every time I come inside you. It makes me happy that this long distance relationship is working for us. I thought it would be tough on us considering I'm at Revelle and you're all the way by Price Center. But the distance never affected the way you still opened your doors to me. Never. No matter the time or distance, you would always make me feel welcome to come inside... I know you had to make a tough decision this year of kicking me out by 10 pm, but baby, I will never stop loving you. Never. Especially after seeing how you have helped me grow in the process. I no longer go to bed by 2 am. My sleep schedules are consistent and I have been feeling more fulfilled lately. I look forward to seeing more sunsets with you, lying close to you on the ground as I cry over physics, and driving deep into you... and by that I mean studying in your basement until security comes to find me... cause I'll never be caught trying to say goodbye to you any earlier than 10 pm. Never.
Dear Library, Thank you for holding it down. You are a real one.
Geisel, I love that the self service is so convenient, and the front desk staff is so nice. Although, the whole library needs some cleaning
Geisel was our go to date spot when me and my boyfriend started dating <3 It's been 1 year and we're still here <3 P.S. my boyfriend is a very nerdy data sceince guy :P We're graduating soon :( c/o 2025 Bye Now :)
Thank you for your warm hugs after I felt the drafts of my apartment. Thank you for the quiet community where I felt focused but not alone. Thank you for a home away from home. Thank you for all the love and all the support. Thank you Geisel.
Break Up Letters
I really like Geisel library! I wanted to write both a love letter and a break up letter. Some recommendations: The upper floors, especially in the study rooms, get pretty hot and stinky (probably because there's people in them a lot in a closed room with no ventilation). I think there should be more art, illustration, digital art, animation, and comic books since while UCSD isn't an arts school, this is all the more reason to have more art books. A lot of them are old and out-of-date, except they are the main way that I learn things so I would love more new art books. I think perhaps there could be more signage about the classification system! Like a big sign hanging from the ceiling or on each bookshelf that says "Arts" really big so lazy college students can't miss it. I wish there were more volunteer options as I would love to volunteer at the library but I don't see many opportunities. I wish there was an option online to see what books you've checked out in the past. I also think that sometimes when you're searching for a book, many options of the same book crop up since they're from different schools, so I think the online catalog could be a bit nicer. I wish there were more secluded areas of just like one seat in a corner somewhere. I wish there were more bookmarks spread around the shelves so I can remember where to put a book back if I take one out. Sometimes the books fall over in a shelf if the shelf isn't full. Recently I went to a library and they had bookends that were attached to the bookshelf so they were sturdy, but they could also move, so that might be a good idea. A "book recommendation" shelf might be cool! Also more stools since I sometimes can't reach the highest shelves. I would love if the digital media lab was more fleshed out - as someone interested in animation, I've visited the digital media lab to check out the screen tablets and the light table and no one was there when I went and I was unsure what to do. Sincerely, Anonymous
Please please please be open later / all night on Friday nights!!
Bring back 24/7 Geisel, there is no reason why Rimac should be open longer than Geisel. Our priorities on this campus should be to learn as much as we can! This is impossible for students stuck in triples who cannot study or focus effectively! It does not make sense that we have enough funding for Rimac and a new Taco Bell, but the one resource that every single person on campus uses is facing budget cuts. It’s not fair to the students and it will be very unfavorable as grades plummet as a result of not having adequate resources to support students’ academic needs.
Dear Library, I'm sorry this is so out of the blue. But don't worry. It's not you, it's me. We've been so iconic together! You've provided so much! The amazing study spaces, the large meeting rooms, the classy aesthetic. Even the outside of you is irreplaceable and one-of-a-kind. But I really wish you paid more attention to Audrey's Cafe. It has so much potential. Cafes should be a place of collaboration, serenity, focus, and cheerfulness. Audrey's is almost there. It'd be great to get someone in there who is as passionate for coffee as the owner of the Bird Rock stand near the amphitheater. However, I understand this would come at the expense of the students for more expensive products. It'd be great to see a middle ground be established somewhere. I believe you can change. And I'll be here if you need help doing so. But I'm tired of you taking advantage of my patience, so I'll be stepping away for a while. XoXo, Your Ex
**Dear Geisel Library,** It’s not you—it’s your interlibrary loan system. I thought we had something special. You, with your vast collection of books and the best study spots on campus. Me, a dedicated student just trying to get through my assignments. But lately, I feel like I’m doing all the work in this relationship. I request a book, and you tell me it’ll take a *few days*. Then a week passes. Then two. And suddenly, my deadline has come and gone, and I’m left reading obscure Wikipedia summaries at 2 AM, wondering where it all went wrong. I need a library that’s *there* for me—one that doesn’t keep me waiting like a love interest in a slow-burn romance novel (which, ironically, I still haven’t received from interlibrary loan). This isn’t easy, Geisel, but I think we need a break. Maybe I’ll try the public library, or worse... actually buy the book. I’ll still visit for the study spaces and overpriced coffee, but my heart belongs to a library with *commitment*. I hope you understand. Sincerely, A Student Who Just Wanted a Book
Dear Geisel Library, I really appreciated our time together but, I think we have to find our own paths. The path I am on is not with you, its with just that Dewey decimates you as a lover. His decimal system organizes my books in a sexy way that I don't think you can. Your books never pay attention to me and always seemed mentally checked out. Even though he does not 8 stories like your building does, the stories he categorizes make my pages turn. Dewey makes the pencils in the Shakespeare section wonder, "2b or not 2b?" He just has fine written all over him. Plus, I can't keep with your due dates. I need freedom to love my books for all eternity. Unfortunately, not all books are created sequel. With love, Your Estranged Lover
Dear Geisel, Thank you for being my escape last year. When I needed a quiet space to study, the sixth floor was where I went. When I needed to get away from my horrible roommates, I watched Netflix in the pods on the eighth floor instead of my room. When I needed to do group projects, the first and second floors were the place to be. But now that I have a single room this year, I don’t frequent you as much. It’s not you, it’s me. I still come for the quarterly finals week activities and for printing though. Thanks. Byeeee
The water dispensers do not work in 1st, 6th and 8th floors. :(
Hi-brary, Mr. Library, You make me wanna not die-brary, When I'm with you I feel high-brary, You were always my-brary. Now, I'm like why-brary? Are you so shy-brary? Only open until nigh-brary? Oh the students, they all cry-brary. When they see their beloved library. Is only for the early guy-brary? So don't pry-brary, When I tell you not to try-brary, Cus you can no longer lie-brary, As I am now saying bye-brary.
I have always loved the Library the moment I set my eyes on it. Its boxy figure makes my heart tremble and its quiet demeanor captivates my brain. But after some time, I found that there were some problems I could not get past. Though food is allowed on multiple floors, some people are having full course meals that spread their aroma all over the Library’s more book-ish fragrance, and I cannot handle listening to the people’s loud chewing that ruins the quietness. The study spaces are the best, yet the study rooms are so loud with people laughing over things that high-schoolers laugh about, and I physically cringe and have to leave the Library even though I wish to stay with it more. The break-up is temporary, and I hope to come back again, but for now we need a break.
I don't like that someone died in there.
I need the library back to 24/7 PLEASE
Dear Geisel, Please open 24 hours :)
I am so sad that Geisel is no longer 24/7. I understand that it was budgetary, but I, too, have needs that must be met. I've loved getting to know you, but I need to prioritze me. I wish you the best. Always with love, maybe our paths will cross again in the future.
Geisel, I wish Audrey's had better coffee, food, and a better menu. It would be cool if it were replaced. Also, hot water should be free. </3
Please clean the chairs that have stains :( <3
I hate that you close so early. No more late nights w/ you :(
Open 24/7 again or we're done!! :(
Some more food would be nice!! tehe
Dear Geisel, I loved you. I really liked you. Like a lot. I thought you were the one. But I know that you don't care about me anymore. We used to hangout with each other all day, sometimes we studied together until sunrise. But you don't want it anymore. You don't do anything for me during nights, especially Friday and Saturday nights, knowing that I need to grind every night and I need you there to support me. I guess you just party every single weekend without me. You might find pretty girls there, too. But it's not my problem anymore. I wanna say goodbye to you before our sweet old memory is turned out dirty because of how you act now. I hope you will find a girl that will change your mind.. or possibly.. I hope you'll get back to me and be available for me 24/7 like you used to. I still love you. But I can't do this no more.
Dear Library, Why did you stop being 24/hrs? To what is the point of coming here yet your doors close. You think that price center would ever compare to you? Not even to 2 am? For I know you offer more than Sun god lounge could ever. This reeks. Why did I ever come here?
You stopped wanting to spend time with me, and limited our hours together, so we’re done. 😔
Not really a breakup, but I wish there was an obvious place to get whiteboard markers, erasers, and more whiteboards like in Wong Avery.
Bring back 24/7 2nd floor.
24/7 hours please!!!
Hi Geisel, I miss our late night study sessions. I miss when you were available 24/7. You close so early on Fridays - the days I really need you. Price Center doesn't compare. It doesn't have enough computers or study rooms. Please Geisel - go back to the way you were so we can stay together.
STAY OPEN 24 HOURS PLEASE. I'M BEGGING YOU!
Dear Geisel, It pains me to say this, but I no longer can come see you like how we use to. I had found a new home and a new place to study. Thanks
More hours, more food, and cheaper, or we are done. </3
The sky is blue. Grass is green. I don't like Math. Geisel why are you not open 24/7? That makes me sad.
Sometimes I wish there was a Geisel 2 because frankly, I want to break up with you. Your chairs are filthy, and you are inefficiently designed. Your hours are few, you are not open on me time. You fall short of my needs everyday, the walk is too far anyways. You're crowded, under construction, frail, and barely alive. You are way too small to support a population of forty-one thousand eight hundred eight-five. Studying in your basement feels like rotting in a tomb, you don't even have the textbooks I need for HUM. I don't want to date Wong Avery, she's too small. I want to date a third library, one that's perfect and tall. P.S. Please hold playground/children's games events in Geisel like hide and seek, tag, bookhunts, escape rooms, human chess, squid games, etc. P.P.S, Please build a huge 3rd library!
My Dearest Geisel, We had our good & bad, but ultimately I think its best we part. At first, I was amazed by everything you offered. The flashy and newness of what you brought to me, I thought I was happy. You were nothing like I had before, but I must move on. In the end, it was because you were too hot and cold. I could never keep up with your temperament. It was fun while it lasted, but I realized it would never work out long term for us especially since I found out you've been with others this whole time!!! </3
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Credits:
Created with an image by Andrej - "Pages of a book curved into a heart in front of blue background"