The Ralston Library maintains a collection of over 20,000 LPs and 20,000 CDs. In addition to physical media, the Carlson Listening Room has access to high-fidelity digital streaming (Qobuz and TIDAL via Audirvāna), thereby providing access to tens of millions of additional lossless-sound recordings. Live broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City are shown in the Carlson Listening Room throughout the season. A headphone listening room is equipped with a turntable and several CD players, allowing Library patrons to listen privately on high-quality equipment at any time during duPont Library hours. A circulating collection of over 7,000 physical CDs and LPs is housed between the loudspeaker and headphone listening rooms. Completing the facility, the Harrison Reading Room, flanked by the Library's music books and score collection, provides one of the most popular study spaces on campus.
On a normal school day, the Ralston Library is alive with activity, as students at the University host or attend listening sessions and film screenings, professors teach classes, and community members and visitors from the world over browse the collection and experience the playback system.
"The Ralston Music Listening Library is unique in the United States and perhaps the world."
John Marks, Sewanee Magazine
"An absolutely seamless soundfield from top to bottom. You simply do not hear the individual drivers. This results in a frighteningly life-like presentation that is absolutely addicting."
Frank Berryman, Ultra High-End Review
"I had the uncanny feeling that I was hearing everything at some indefinably high level of resolution. Breathtaking."
Jonathan Scull, Stereophile
The William Ralston Listening Library is free to visit and open most weekdays for visits during posted listening hours. Visit our calendar for upcoming hours and other programming. Appointments are needed for visits outside of publicly-advertised listening hours. Please contact the Director at ralstonlistening@sewanee.edu or 931.598.3233 to schedule your visit.
Further Resources
Read about the project on Future Audiophile.
Read about the project in Stereophile magazine.
Read about the project in Sewanee magazine.
Read about the project in the Cross Country Songbook blog series.
The project has also been featured as a unique university space in national lists compiled by Southwest: The Magazine and Online Schools Center.
