The Charleston AFB Library is here to assist you with your information needs. We offer a full range of services for all patrons. Please take a few minutes to read about the services that are offered at your base library. If you have any questions, or need assistance, please contact us at 843-963-3320. Library staff will be happy to assist you. Click on any of the links below for more information:
Computers – Microsoft Products and printing capabilities
High-Speed Internet Access – 10 workstations & Wireless
Interlibrary Loan
Online Catalog
Paperback Exchange
Photocopier – 10 cents per page
Research Assistance
Research Databases – over 50,000 journals and newspapers covered
Tours and Orientations
Typewriter
Air Force Initiative Materials – CSAF and AFSO21
Air War College materials
Books on CD & Cassette – Over 1,900
CD-ROM Software
CLEP and Dantes Study Guides
DVDs & Videos – Over 1,800
E-Books – Over 6,000 titles
Foreign Language Materials
Federal Tax Forms – January – April
Investment Publications
Military History
Music CDs – Over 1,400 Titles
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The Charleston AFB Library has a weekly story & craft hour every Tuesday at 10:00AM. Our story hour is geared towards toddlers between the ages of 2-5. Each story hour consists of at least one story and a small craft. In addition to our weekly story hour, periodically throughout the year we offer special children’s programs to celebrate events like Children’s Book Week, National Library Week and major Holidays. Please call the library for more details about any of these programs or check our website for a list of upcoming events.
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The Base Library has study guides and supporting materials for most CLEP and DANTES exams. There is no limit on the number of books checked out therefore items circulate quickly. It may be beneficial to call beforehand or to stop by the Circulation Desk to see if an item is available. If the item you are wanting is not available we recommend you utilize our Peterson’s Educational Resource Center. This online educational resource center features online practice tests for CLEP exams. A one-time registration is required. Online access to this resource is available through the library’s E-Resources page (http://437services.com/esearch/index.htm). The registration code to use the Peterson’s Resource Center is FL4418.
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The Library has 10 workstations with Internet access. All computers have Microsoft Office products, adobe, windows media player and all of all of our online databases. Sign-up is required to use the computer lab workstations and there is a one hour time limit if others are waiting. Before using our computer workstations, all patrons must read and sign our Computer/Internet Use Policy and Agreement. AMC policy requires that filtering software be placed on all public workstations accessing the Internet. If you find that our filters block something that is legitimate, please let a staff member know so that the site can be unblocked. All computers have black/white printing capability. Charleston AFB Library uses the honor system for printing. There is NO cost to print; however patrons are limited to 10 pages each week. Patrons are not allowed to bring in their own paper. Please ask to speak with the Library Director if you have a special situation. For more information please refer to the Computer Usage/Internet policy located at the Circulation Desk.
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There is a common misconception when completing research that everything is available on the Internet. And while there are many free, reputable sources available, there are some important exceptions.
Reputable journals and newspapers, such as The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, and Aviation Week & Space Technology, are all for-profit organizations. They have a vested interest in protecting their intellectual and copyright properties in regard to their journals.
What this means to the average researcher is that looking on the Internet for journal articles is usually a fruitless effort. To fill this gap, companies have purchased the rights to electronically reproduce journals, and then sell access rights to libraries and other organizations.
The Base Library currently has access to over 50,000 electronic periodicals and newspaper subscriptions through multiple databases. These resources are acceptable for use in research papers, and equal to their printed counterparts. Usage of these databases is highly recommended for all students seeking reputable resources for research.
One-on-one training is available with the Librarian by appointment only. Descriptions of these databases can be found in our Online Database Brochure or you can visit out website.
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Sometimes an instance occurs where an article must be purchased or the time it takes to receive an item is not acceptable for a patron. When this happens the library can utilize its document delivery service to obtain the materials. These items can be obtained within a very short period of time and we pay all of the fees associated with obtaining these articles. Library staff can assist you with this service.
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The Charleston AFB Library offers a wide array of support to all education students on Base. Some of the services offered include: reference services, interlibrary loans, document delivery as well as one-on-one library skills training. Please refer to our Education Support brochure for more information or contact your school for a list of home campus library support services available to you.
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CAFB library is connected to a worldwide network that allows us to share resources. This sharing service is called Interlibrary Loan. This service allows you to obtain materials not owned by the Base Library. We will attempt to retrieve any materials for you but can not guarantee another library will loan the item to us. Interlibrary loan requests take approximately 14 business days to arrive at the Base Library and they often have different checkout periods than our regular materials. Patrons are limited to 5 ILL book requests at one time. We do not limit the number of periodical article requests. Copyright law only allows for 5 articles from one journal title per library annually. If you need assistance finding articles from several journals please ask a library staff member.
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The Library has a Little Tykes computer ergonomically designed for children ages 3 to 7. This computer is loaded with a variety of entertaining and educational software. Sign up is required to use this computer and there is a time limit of one hour if others are waiting. For a list of current games and their appropriate age level please speak with a library staff member.
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The Charleston AFB Library can order mission essential materials and subscriptions for most offices on base. Please contact the Senior Library Technician at 843-963-3321 for more information about this service or pick up a “Mission Support Services” brochure from the library.
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The Base Library has special programs during the year for adults, young adults, and families. These programs include special contests, rewards programs, and classes. Check out the Upcoming Events section of the Library website for more information.
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The Library has over 50 print periodicals & newspapers. In addition, patrons have access to thousands of other periodicals & newspapers through our online subscription databases.
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A reserve may be placed on any item already checked out by another patron. Patrons may place a reserve on an item at the Circulation desk or from any of the Online Catalogs. You will be notified by phone when an item is available for pickup. Reserve items will be held for three days. Please verify a current phone number is on file when placing a hold. Patrons may also place reserves on items not yet received. Inquire at the Circulation desk about this service.
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Library tours & orientations are available to individuals and groups and generally take between 30-60 minutes depending on requirements. Topics covered include: library services, resources and online catalog usage.
Scheduled Tours & Orientations – The Library offers tours & orientations every third Tuesday of the month at 2pm and every third Thursday at 6:30pm. Advanced registration is required. Call the Base Library for more information or to register.
Special Groups and Individuals – Special groups and individuals may schedule private tours & orientations by contacting the Library Director. Please call the 843-963-3320 for more information.
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The Library offers high-speed wireless Internet access free of charge to all patrons possessing a wireless ready laptop computer. Library staff does not offer any assistance on setting up personal laptops for this service. This service is available from 8am-9pm daily.
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Charleston Air Force Base South Carolina