During the month of February, we asked you to write us and let the Library know how your long-distance, virtual relationship with us is going. Below are the submitted responses telling us what is and is not working for you during remote learning. Many thanks to all who participated in this virtual adaptation of our annual February event!
Winning Love Letter 1
ADA-Compliant Text: Dear Geisel, I am so madly in love with you that when I learned you were closed due to the ongoing pandemic I could feel my fragile heart break into tiny shards of glass, stabbing my other organs. No one should have to suffer a fate like this, but alas with tears rolling down my face I accept my accursed fate. You might not remember but I did have a brief rendezvous with you when I checked out a book for my introduction to theatre class. It was very easy to order and pick up at the parking lot. The employees were so kind and helpful. I wish you were open so I could meet you in person but I know this is for the best. You are making the right decision and I understand that it is better this way even though it does not change the fact that I miss you. I don't want to break up so please don't break up with me. I miss you so much that I wrote a poem about you for one of my classes for an assignment last quarter. With Passion, Your Eternal Lover
ADA-Compliant Text: An Ode to Geisel: The inevitable diminishing of your bulbs brings me gloom, Sipping iced coffee complaining about my life to my friends, The only time I was ever productive was in your study room. Will I be able to return to Geisel when the flowers bloom, According to the large font on the news, it depends. The inevitable diminishing of your bulbs brings me gloom. You have no idea the amount of caffeine I would consume, Praying the deadline would be something the professor extends. The only time I was ever productive was in your study room. When will the in-person classes in college resume? Pulling all nighters, others think I have a brain that transcends, The inevitable diminishing of your bulbs brings me gloom. I can’t hear myself think over these ridiculous calls on zoom, Everything is swell and everything is chipper she pretends. The only time I was ever productive was in your study room. I took that building for granted, I was as pretentious as a plume, Not knowing when I will be able to visit again and make amends, The inevitable diminishing of your bulbs brings me gloom, The only time I was ever productive was in your study room.
Winning Love Letter 2
ADA-Compliant Text: Dear Geisel, I loved you then, when I spent time with you every day more than I did in my own bed. I love you now, even though it has been far too long since I saw you face to face. How has the pandemic been treating you? I am trying my best to live life as if we were together. I've visited every public space I could find that resembles your presence. I still use sanitizing wipes every time I sit down before studying, knowing that you instilled that in me long before Corona, so thank you. Just the other day, I asked my East Wing buddy if they remembered Audrey's milk tea recipe, memories are fading away. I still have some of those Sparkplugs that you generously gave. I don't have much left though, so I hope to see you again soon. I joked to my college roommate once when I first moved in with you. She asked me, "Any cool places you've explored in San Diego?" The only response I was able to give was, "Of course I've explored San Diego: Geisel 8th floor, East Wing, West Wing, GIS lab, and all the whiteboards downstairs!" But I can’t make those jokes about you anymore, can I. My out-of-town friends were always jealous of me living by the beach, but you know what I did instead? I spent the nights with you every chance I had outside of lectures. If you're wondering, I only went to the beach on a few occasions after finals. All the sunrise from La Jolla shores didn’t even come close to a glimpse of light breaking through the glass window after an all-nighter. And I thought, that was the only sunrise worth gazing at. You see, you and I were stuck together quite like the vending machine and PC Burger King at 3 am. Does it remind you of all the nicknames I’ve called you? Affordable housing. La Jolla Jail. Home for the sleep-deprived and socially dead. But don’t get me wrong though, I loved you then, I love you now, And I'll love you the same way a Sixth college raccoon learns to dig out their trash, clumsy, reckless, leaving them half empty, just so I get to come back for the other half one day, as if we had never been apart. Anonymous
Winning Break Up Letter 1
ADA-Compliant Text: Hey Library, Or should I call you Geisel? I guess I just don't know anymore. It's been awhile since we've last met huh. This pandemic has really pushed us apart. I miss you. I want you to know I still love you, but I think we should break up. Or maybe we should just put the idea of us on pause? I used to love studying and reading at the library. The way that you could feel the personality of each floor - it was comforting. From the loud and active 2nd floor to the serene yet somehow tense 8th floor. I could go up to the 6th floor, read a little, admire the view, or even people-watch. It was the way that I could be in my own world without actually being alone because at least I was with you - with you and everyone else there. My world felt a little bigger with you. On rainy days, you were warm. You protected me from the chaos of outside. On sunny days, you were a place of unimaginable beauty. Nothing could outshine you when rays of light crept in through the window panes. Everything about you was absolutely unbeatable. But now, I just can't feel the same way with virtual study rooms. Everything that you once were - that we once were - just can't be recreated online. I know I can make a reservation with Biomed, but it's just not the same. Sometimes I even find myself passing by and yearn for what we once were. I miss you dearly, and I hope we meet again someday. Sincerely, Anonymous
Winning Break Up Letter 2
ADA-Compliant Text: My Dearest Library, Of all the things I expected to have taken away from me, I never thought it would be you. Where no else could sooth my mind there was always a study room or a quiet corner, there were books to browse with curious desires. When the world got too loud, I could always walk through the doors. It is a love that I have had all my life, but with Geisel it was my second home. It was the safest place in my life. It is hard to be without the ritual, the way that the windows surround me. The loudness of the East Wing as you enter to the profound silence on the 8th floor. The sound my foot steps make as I search for the proper shelf, as I seek out my new ideas. There are few other places to find such a profound silence, the introspection in halls filled with endless ideas sparking discovery in the past and possibility in the future. In online spaces their is still no quiet, the internet waivers constantly in my apartment. I miss my library. I miss the comfort and security of only needing to seek out the knowledge because the environment was set. I can't wait to join you again, when the doors open again. I hope before I graduate, we can be together again. Hope to see you soon, Anonymous
- Love Letter: Dear Library, I haven't gotten to fully be with you because of the circumstances. I have only seen you in passing a long time ago, and wish I didn't take you for granted. I hope we can be together again soon, because if I am being honest, virtual services are just not the same. I dream of being able to sit in one of your study rooms and study late into the night. I am greatly looking forward to that. Sincerely, Anonymous
- Break Up Letter: Dear Library, I am fed up with you! Why can't you make time for us to study together in the morning? I haven't seen you for weeks because of my schedule! I thought that you would maybe change this quarter, but it's not enough. Even when I do skip (recorded) class to see you in the virtual library rooms, it isn't the same. And you play music too loud when we're studying! I had to say it. I was so annoyed at one virtual study session together that I left! I couldn't stand it anymore. Let's break up. Text me at the end of the quarter if you still want me. From, Anonymous
- Love Letter: I still love you; thankful that I can still read your books online. I love that it's an option to study in your virtual study rooms. You're my favorite building at UCSD. I really miss you. Anonymous
- Break Up Letter: Dear Library, I like the services offered! I appreciate the access to JSTOR. However, I wish we had access to the Springer archive of research papers. That would be nice. Anonymous
- Love Letter: Dear Library, I miss the long nights spent in Geisel's second floor, the all-nighter pajamas look, staying up until four. I miss the hot tea sold by Audrey's Cafe. I miss the croissants with chocolate on top. But mostly I miss the time spent with friends. I wonder how long until I'll see you again. Anonymous
- Break Up Letter: Hello! I feel that the services you provide are not well advertised. My friends and I currently are unsure of what you provide and have not been using your services. I would like to believe that you have many amazing services, but due to the lack of outreach, it is hard to see that within you. Thanks, Anonymous
- Break Up Letter: Dear Library, Although you provide great online services and helpful resources, I ultimately must break off our long-distance relationship. Unfortunately, I do not feel a close enough connection to you. I need physical contact for this relationship to feel real, so because of this, I must leave our long-distance relationship for now. Thank you for everything you have provided me. I will always be grateful for your services. Forever your Companion, Anonymous
- Love Letter: Dear Library, I know we only just met, but I think I am in love with you. And I know it sounds crazy considering we have never met in person, but it's like I made the best match on Tinder. My love for you is bigger than the vast collection of books that you hold. I am absolutely in love with your Virtual Study Rooms. You help me focus on my studies and push me to work harder. It's one of the things I love the most about you. I appreciate your flexibility and kindness during these unprecedented times. You always make me a better learner and student; you make me a better me. Although the virtual setting has been adequate, I cannot wait to meet you in person. Love, Anonymous
- Break Up Letter: Dearest Geisel, You look so gorgeous when the sunlight shines onto your massive windows and reflects into my squinting eyes, reminding me that I cannot return to the days where I would sleep in your halls overnight studying for MMW midterms. I regret ever taking you for granted. I wish you had socially distanced study hours, but alas. I miss you and my eyes hurt. Love, An ERC student needing sunglasses
- Break Up Letter: Dear Library, I am sorry but virtual services are just not working. Studying on Zoom is just not the same as sitting next to someone and talking, studying, laughing and making jokes. I wish it was the same, but until you can safely reopen I have to break up. Regretfully, Anonymous
- Love Letter: Dear Library, It feels like it's been forever since we last saw each other doesn't it? I miss you. But more importantly, I still love you. I know, I can't look forward to having that oh-so-refreshing lavender lemonade on a hot day or heartwarming hot cocoa on a cold day. I know I can't de-stress from hours of studying by solving the puzzles, coloring, or playing the games that you offered. And I know I can't stroll past and admire your ungodly selection of books just for fun. But even if we can't be together like we once could, I will still continue loving you. I look forward to your weekly newsletters. They make me smile and laugh in a way that only you know how to; they're comforting. Because despite having all the pressures of exams, school, and the pandemic continue to pile up, I know that you're always looking out for me. You'll always be there to lend me a helping hand (: . But not only for me, you're there for everyone - even those that have yet to set foot on this campus. The virtual tours you offer must be so amazing for them - or at least I think they are. People get to catch a glimpse of what it's like to be here with you. Nobody can capture you, and all that you are, in pictures. But I know you're trying, and I love you for it. Love, Yours Truly <3
- Break Up Letter: I am breaking up with you. I can't visit due to COVID and I get it, but that's not going to work for me. Since I can't visit you (and you're too awesome) I must forget you. I am sorry. Farewell :( Anonymous
- Break Up Letter: Dear Library, It hurts me to say this, but I am breaking up with you. Before you begin to question what could have led to this, it's me, not you. And I know it is cliché to say that but it is true. Your de-stress activities have not been very helpful for me. I thought I'd give them a try, but it was not a great fit. The stress of not seeing you in person (alongside CHEM 6B) has been more stress than I could handle. I think it is best if we take a break, at least until it is safe to return to campus. Until then my love, Anonymous
- Love Letter: Miss your 8th floor... ): Those pods were so good! Anonymous
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Created with an image by JessBaileyDesign - "literature book bindings page"