Lewis Music Library Home

Virtual Tour

Library Facilities

The Music Library originally functioned as a music lounge when it opened in the Hayden Building (Building 14) in 1950. Over the years, this space evolved into a music library. The library was totally renovated in October 1996 when it was renamed the Rosalind Denny Lewis Music Library. To learn more about Mrs. Lewis, read the library dedication speech by her granddaughter, Rosalind Williams. For more details about the library, see this article and visit the Lewis Music Library Virtual Tour. Also, look at and listen to the Canon, written for the library by MIT music professor John Harbison, which adorns the glass panels surrounding the second floor of the library (music performance by Emmanuel Music, Boston, Craig Smith, Music Director).

A picture of the MIT Banjo Club from ca.1893 hangs outside the entrance
(image from Ring the Banjar, ML1015.B3.R56 1984)

Study Space

• The first floor and mezzanine level include attractive reading areas with large study tables.

• Comfortable seating is also available by the journal lounge area.

• Quiet study space is provided in the Roy Lamson Conference Room (with an LCD screen and laptop connectors) and a small study room on the mezzanine.

• A scanner/photocopier is on the first floor.

Audio and Visual Facilities

• The Bakalar Listening Center, located on the library's mezzanine, features listening carrels containing compact disc players, turntables, cassette tape decks, VCRs, laserdisc, and DVD players.

• A group viewing/listening room is equipped with a VCR, laserdisc, and DVD players.

• Users may play through music scores at digital pianos located on the first floor and mezzanine.

• Computers with music software are available.

Rules of the House

• MIT Libraries’ food and beverage guidelines

• Guidelines for the Use of the MIT Libraries

• MIT Libraries Computer Use Policy