Sneetches, the Cat in the Hat and the Lorax greet studiers in a newly opened study room in the east wing of Baker Library named for Theodor Seuss Geisel '25 -- known to most as the illustrious children's book author Dr. Seuss.
The room features colorful, framed book covers, a display case offering information about Geisel's life, and excerpts from some of his most famous works. A large portrait of Geisel, formerly located in the Rauner Special Collections Library, hangs on one wall.
The room officially opened last Wednesday in what Jeff Horrell, dean of libraries and librarian of the College, calls a "soft opening." He said there will be no grand opening or inauguration of the room and hopes that students will "discover it and enjoy it" on their own accord.
The library has, however, displayed a number of posters throughout the library urging students to take advantage of the new space.
Planning for the study room and the display started 18 months ago and was funded by the general Dartmouth fund, according to Horrell.
"The room was designed as a comfortable, relaxing space for users of the library ... It has wireless, air-conditioning," Horrell said.
Cindy Pawlek, associate librarian of the college, said that the room was originally the reference office before Berry Library was built and was connected to the old reference room. Since then, it has served other library purposes, most recently hosting administrative meetings.
The display case, occupying the entire right-hand wall of the room, features highlights from Geisel's life and literary legacy. The case contains many of Geisel's books, a large poster listing all his publications, a stuffed character from one of his books and a Dartmouth graduation hood. Purists beware: the case contains reproductions and nothing of real historical value.
"Nothing in there is original; the hood is just a regular Dartmouth hood," Horrell said. "The books are not any special books."
Dotting the floor are several plush chairs and tables that allow students to read in comfort and in the company of characters that may take them back to their first days of reading.
