Muir S. Fairchild Information Center FAQ

Topics of Interest

Circulation
Military Research
Reference & Research
Directions & Location
General Information
Book Distribution
Computing & Equipment
Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
Databases
Related Organizations

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where is designated parking for the Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center located?

Patron parking (including spaces for the handicapped) is located just outside the north entrance to Building 1405. This parking area also provides convenient access to Air University Television, which is situated in the north end of the library building complex.

Can I use my cell phone in the Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center?

In order to provide an environment conducive to research and study, please limit cell phone use to the North and South Lobbies on the first floor only. Set cell phone ringers on silent mode when entering the Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center Reading Rooms and stack areas.
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How can I locate unit histories, military information on a family member, or current military personnel?

See our guide Locating Military Personnel: Past and Present, available at http://www.maxwell.af.mil/au/aul/wsites/unit.htm
It is a guide for locating historical information on military personnel and tips for finding unit histories. Or visit the AF Historical Research Agency. web site
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How can I find out what happened to a plane?

Visit the AF Historical Research Agency for that type info-- a FAQ response is listed below from their homepage.
How can I find out what happened to a specific aircraft by tail number?
The Agency maintains individual aircraft records for almost all aircraft once or presently in the United States Air Force inventory. These records begin in 1924 and continue to July 1990. They are approximately 98 percent complete. The records for many aircraft of the early 1920s and for aircraft in highly sensitive reconnaissance programs are not available. Each set of aircraft records has its own unique characteristics, but for most planes one may learn the manufacturer, place of production, date of delivery, units of assignment, duty stations and final disposition. During the World War II era, only theaters of assignment (in code) were listed rather than the unit. The aircraft record card collection is filed by military serial number. Researchers may visit the Agency to conduct their research or contact the Agency by letter or e-mail.
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How I find a copy of an old Air Force Instruction or manual?

Search Air Force e-Pubs online. Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center Authority collection houses current and obsolete Air Force Instructions and Air Force Manuals in print. Contact Reference at 334-953-2888 for search assistance.
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Do you have technical orders in your collection?

The Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center does not maintain technical orders in the Authority Collection. Visit the TO System Information page, or Contact the National Technical Information System: 703-605-6000 or NTIS: 1-888-584-8332 or 730-605-6050.
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Where is Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center located on base?

Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center is located at the center of Chennault Circle in Building 1405. Patrons may enter Building 1405 through entrances located on the north, west, and south sides of the facility.
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Where is Air University Press located on base?

Air University Press is located at 131 West Schumacher Avenue on Maxwell AFB.
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How do I register to use the resources at Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center?

All official library users register for a library card at the circulation desk. Proper identification will be requested at the time of registration.
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How do I get a library card?

To be eligible for an account you must live within a 50-mile radius of Maxwell/Gunter. Bring a military ID and driver license for registration. Students assigned to short-term courses should bring a copy of the orders along with the identification card. All personnel and students assigned to Maxwell/Gunter long-term should bring their military or civilian identification card. Library hours are posted on our website. Dependents will be assigned to the sponsor card. Contact us at 334-953-2230 for further assistance.
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How do I renew my books?

Contact the Circulation Desk at 334-953-2230 for renewal by phone, or renew in person at the Circulation Desk.
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What is the Book Bag?

The Book Bag is a space where you may save books you have read, or want to read. You decide how you want to use the records you have saved. Contact the Circulation Desk at 334-953-2230 for help with the Book Bag feature.
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How do I view my Book Bag?

You will need logon to the Book Bag entry from the catalog using your library card number or your identification number. Remember to log off when you are done. Contact the Circulation Desk at 334-953-2230.
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Does the Fairchild Center have books for elementary and secondary school students?

The Center does not buy books for school students because the Base Libraries support the military dependents. Contact the Maxwell Library at 334-953-6484/5947 or Gunter Library at 334-416-3179/4732 for assistance.
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How do I register for an Air University course, obtain my transcripts or credits?

Submit an online form or select a telephone number from the Registrar's website. Contact Student Records at (334)953-8128
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What other organizations are located within the Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center building (Bldg 1405)?

AU Television Center 953-2320
USAF Historical Research Agency 953-5342

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Is the Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center a Federal Depository?

Yes, FRIC is a selective federal depository. We have established a profile of topics that are important to most of our users, and we regularly receive shipments of those federal products from the Government Printing Office, or the federal agencies themselves. The scope of these materials is quite specific to the research needs of Air University, and the number is relatively small. Unlike many depository libraries, we do not have a separate Government Documents Collection--items are integrated into various collections, and are identifiable through our online catalog. Anyone who comes to the Library may use the materials. Just across town is also a full regional depository at Auburn University at Montgomery.
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Where are the photocopiers located?

Photocopiers are in room 105 for your use to reproduce single copies of FRIC-owned materials.
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Do you have color copiers?

No, only black and white copying is currently available.
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Do you offer fax service?

Contact Maxwell Base Library at 334-953-6484/5947 for fax service. We do not offer fax service at the Center.
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Do you have after-hours book drops?

There is a book return box in the north parking lot, or the walk-up book drop at the front door of the library can be used to return books after the library has closed.
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Is this the same place as the Maxwell Library or the Community Library?

Facilities include the Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center at Maxwell, a branch library at the USAF Senior NCO Academy at Gunter AFB, and community libraries at Maxwell and Gunter.
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What does "SNCOA" mean in the on-line catalog?

"Senior NCO Academy" library, which is located at Gunter AFB.
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I have found a book call number and this number starting with M-35506-U. What is an "M" number?

FRIC collection houses nearly 530,000 military documents, in addition to other resources. These documents include student papers, DOD reports, agency studies, and policy directives for the military. "M" numbers identify these unique resources. Furthermore, the "M" number prompts our users to go to the Document Loan Desk to retrieve needed items. The Document Loan Desk is located down the hall from the Security Office in the east wing. A security clearance, the "need to know" and proper identification are required each time a patron wishes to use a classified document.
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Do you have group study areas?

A group study area had been available in the FRIC Special Collections Room on a first come, first served basis. This area and other newer study locations will not be available until after the FRIC construction is complete in late 2012 or early 2013.
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How can I make a comment or ask other questions about Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center?

Your input can be registered by contacting the webmaster at the end of each page. Your feedback is essential to help us achieve the best possible service.
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What are the library hours of operation?

Hours of Operation:

MONDAY-THURSDAY 0730-2100
FRIDAY 0730-1700
SATURDAY 1100-1700
SUNDAY CLOSED
HOLIDAYS AS ANNOUNCED

NOTE: Changes to normal hours of operation are announced in the Maxwell-Gunter Bulletin and are posted at library entrances. The above hours of operation only cover the Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center, please contact branch libraries for their schedule.
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What is the Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center mailing address?

Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center
600 Chennault Circle
Bldg 1405
Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6010

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Can periodicals be checked out of the library?

Materials in this section do not circulate.
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Is there a way to get from the book stacks upstairs to the upstairs periodical collection?

Periodicals more than four years old are housed in the "older bound periodicals" stacks. The only access to the bound periodicals is by the passenger elevator at the Book Loan or Circulation Desk. Bound materials will have to be brought downstairs to photocopy. However, these materials are "off limits" until after the FRIC construction is complete in late 2012.
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Do you have scanners or the Internet available?

Scanning and Internet stations can be found in the reference area. Scanning and Internet stations can only be used for official research.
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How do I borrow materials if I can't visit Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center?

FRIC will lend materials to DOD personnel outside the Maxwell-Gunter service area. To initiate a loan contact your service library. FRIC will not send materials to individuals or home addresses. For more information about our lending policy, click here.
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How do I check on the status of my Interlibrary Loan (ILL) request?

Call the Interlibrary Loan Department at 334-953-7223.
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How do I get a password to search the databases from my location?

Send a request from a military email address to the Web Maintainer. Because of vendor license agreement, only students enrolled in an Air University (AU) course are eligible for remote access.
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How do I get access to JSTOR from home?

Access to JSTOR (Art & Sciences Collections I & II) with username and password is not permitted.
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How do I find a book review online?

From our database page, select to search academic databases such as Ebscohost, Lexis-Nexis Academic, or Proquest. You may also find a good selection of fulltext reviews in the specialized database, Book Index With Reviews.

How do I find help with my research?

A Subject Specialist will be glad to help or request reference help.

How can I get online help to search a database?

We have linked to a few database tutorials online. Select from the tutorials online or request

How do I cite a doctrine document?

See under Documentation or Appendix A in The AU Style Guide.

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How can I get free books?

Air University Press publications (up to ten titles) are available free of charge to U.S. Department of Defense personnel and organizations. Other books are provided at no cost to students when they attend PME schools such as SNCOA, ALS or SOS. Copies of books on the CSAF Reading List are also available for checkout at your local Air Force Library.
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Does Fairchild Library or AU Press provide free CSAF Reading List books?

Fairchild Library and AU Press do not distribute free CSAF Reading List books. AU Library has copies to loan registered borrowers and Air Force Base Libraries will have copies to loan personnel assigned to their bases.
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Am I required to wear a uniform at the library?

No, a uniform is not required to visit the library.
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Can I check my work email at the library?

Access work email from designated computers in the Center. Check at the Information Desk for current procedures. You may check your personal email from any computer in the Center.
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Can I view a video, dvd or other multimedia at the library?

You may check out a TV/DVD player and view media in the East Wing
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Career Opportunities

Positions at Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center and Air University Press are full-time Civil Service. Vacancy announcements are posted at http://www.usajobs.gov/. Individuals must submit a resume and must self-nominate to be considered.

If you do not have a master's degree in library science and would like to consider a career in librarianship, the following information sources are valuable:

http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos068.htm

http://www.becomealibrarian.org/

http://www.ala.org/

http://www.sla.org/
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