September 25, 1995
UCSD LIBRARIES RECEIVE MAJOR GIFT
Audrey S. Geisel has given a substantial gift to the
University of California, San Diego Libraries. In keeping with the donor's wishes, the full amount of the gift will not be disclosed.
In recognition of the gift, UCSD's architecturally unique
University Library will be named Geisel Library in honor of Audrey and her late husband Theodor Seuss Geisel, the world renowned children's book author who wrote as Dr. Seuss.
"The UCSD Library is so right for Ted," Audrey explained.
"First, because literacy has always been our primary interest. 
     If we could conquer illiteracy, many of the other causes we 
     support to sustain people -- the abused, the homeless, and the 
     need for remedial education -- would, to some extent, disappear. 
     The Library is the symbol of our commitment.
     
          "And the UCSD Library is especially suited for that role.
The first time Ted saw the form of that building he said to me `If I had turned my thoughts toward designing a building, it might have looked strangely similar to this.'"
     
          UCSD Chancellor Richard C. Atkinson said of the gift,
     "Audrey and Ted Geisel shared a love of learning, of words spoken and written, of ideas and of books. This gift is a wonderful and fitting testimony to their spirit."  Referring to the library's 
     stunning architecture, he continued, "UCSD's University Library, like the Geisel legacy, is unique. It is art and knowledge brought together in a way that beckons curious and hungry minds. The fit is perfect. The library is the center of UCSD's life; it is well named as Geisel Library."
     
          A native of Chicago, Illinois, and a graduate of Indiana
     University, Audrey married Theodor in 1968 and has been a long- 
     time resident of La Jolla, California.
     
          The President of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Audrey is credited
     with shepherding the expansion of the Dr. Seuss literary works 
     into an array of new communication enterprises.  Through business 
     affiliations with major production companies and creative 
     artists, Audrey has made the Seuss characters and stories 
     available in feature films, animation, CD-ROMS, videos, and even 
     light opera.  She has overseen the creation of a Dr. Seuss 
     clothing line and handles world approval rights for all uses of 
     the Seuss name and materials.
     
          The author of 47 books as Dr. Seuss, and numerous others as
     Theo LeSieg and other pseudonyms, Theodor Geisel also authored 10 
     television specials; a feature movie; tracts on the environment; 
     plus ideas for ballets, musicals and poems.
     
           According to UCSD Librarian Gerald R. Lowell, "This
magnificent gift will be used to increase access to scholarly information -- through both print and electronic resources. It will also enhance our information literacy program, through which students acquire the skills to access and use information successfully, while at UCSD and throughout a lifetime of learning."
     
          Three years ago Audrey named UCSD the beneficiary of a $2.3
     million collection of original material from the estate of her 
     late husband.  That donation contained drawings, sketches, 
     notebooks, books, tapes, records and memorabilia generally dating 
     from the early 1970s through the early 1990s.  Substantial other 
     material has been added to the collection since that time; UCSD's 
     Dr. Seuss Collection now reflects the breadth of his creative work 
     throughout his entire career.
     
          Audrey's involvement in the community spans numerous
     charities and organizations, including the National Hospice 
     Foundation; Charter 100; San Diego Zoological Society; Scripps 
     Clinic and Research Foundation; Mental Health Association; Voices 
     for Children; March of Dimes; the Ida Green Cancer Center; San 
     Diego Museum of Art; Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego; La 
     Jolla Playhouse; Old Globe Theatre, and Mingei International 
     Museum.  She has been awarded the Sixth Annual Humanitarian Award 
     from San Diego Hospice and the UCSD Chancellor's Associates 
     Distinguished Service Medal.
     
          At UCSD, Audrey serves on the Board of Visitors of the
     School of Medicine; the Cancer Center Board; is a Community 
     Advisor to the UCSD Medical Center Auxiliary; and is a member of 
     the Chancellor's Associates Silver Circle.
     
          As the only major research library south of Los Angeles, the
     UCSD Libraries hold more than two million items and accommodate 
     over one million users each year, including numerous San Diego 
     residents and businesses.
    
                              #      #      #
     
     Contacts:  Winifred Cox   (619) 534-0363
                Dolores Davies (619) 534-5994