Geisel Library HVAC Renewal

Geisel Library is undergoing a multi-year upgrade to its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, which also includes seismic retrofitting. Led by Campus Facilities Management, the project is essential for bringing the HVAC system on Floors 1-8 up to modern standards, as the original air handlers have been in place since the building's opening in 1970. The upgrade will feature a variable air volume system, offering improved temperature and humidity control, along with more efficient multi-zone conditioning. Initiated in 2021, this project is funded through a deferred maintenance allocation from campus.

Due to the scale of this project, ongoing impacts may affect our visitors, such as floor closures, accessing materials and noise disturbances.

This web page will remain up-to-date with all the latest information about floor closures and other building impacts. Signage will also be posted around Geisel to alert users to the various floor closures and noise disturbances. We encourage you to follow us on social media, as we will be sharing information on those channels throughout the duration of the project.

Project Timeline

Construction will begin September 2024 and continue through late 2025. Floors 4-8 will be closed sequentially, one at a time, for approximately 10 weeks per floor. Additionally, the women’s restrooms on Floor 8 will be closed for the duration of the project. We do not anticipate having to close Floors 1 or 2 during this project.

Current Closures:

• Floor 4 Closure
  Beginning October 15, 2024; estimated closure through December 2024
• Floor 8 Women’s Restrooms
  Beginning September 23, 2024; closed for the duration of the project

Upcoming Closures:

The dates listed below are an estimated project schedule and are subject to change.

• Floor 5 Closure
  Beginning January 2025; specific dates to be announced

What to Expect

• Accessing Materials on a Closed Floor
  The collection on a closed floor will be accessible via our request service
• Hours of Operation
  Geisel’s daily hours of operation will remain unchanged, except for limited one-day building closures during the project, which will be posted on our Hours page.
• Entrances and Exits
  Geisel’s main entrance and all of its emergency exits, including those on Floors 4-8, will remain open throughout the duration of the project.
• Noise Levels
  To minimize any distractions caused by noise that may be present as a result of construction, we will continue to offer complimentary earplugs. During the closure of Floor 4, earplugs will be available on Floor 5.
• Seating
  While Floors 4-8 are temporarily closed (one at a time for approximately 10 weeks), the number of available study seats and group study rooms in Geisel will be affected. We recommend checking the UC San Diego mobile app or Waitz for real-time updates prior to arriving at Geisel and reserving study rooms in advance.
• Alternate Study Space
  Located on the south end of Library Walk, WongAvery Library is available to all UC San Diego affiliates and the public. WongAvery hours differ from Geisel’s, so we encourage you to check our Hours web page before your visit. Additional study spaces on campus are also available.