AU Library
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"As the AU library director and on behalf of the library team, we are excited to introduce MindGym to Maxwell-Gunter,” said Dr. Stephanie Rollins. “Sponsored by AU leadership, AUiX and the library team, this initiative goes beyond traditional library offerings, enhancing skills and promoting resilience. It's a transformative investment in our community's well-being and collective potential.”
Our team has been working on an A/V Technology refresh project in close collaboration with AU Leadership, our contractor, and our in-house library technology team.
As part of this progress, please note that the auditorium is CLOSED for renovation until its anticipated completion by mid-to-late January. Despite the temporary closure, we're thrilled about significantly elevating our learning and collaborative environment. Anticipate improved sound quality, a stunning 14ft viewing screen, and a state-of-the-art smart podium controlled by an iPad among the enhancements.
Bookable through our online reservation system, this exclusive space is tailor-made for Maxwell-Gunter students, faculty, and staff to collaborate effectively. As the focal point for library-related events, it will continue to host programs like AU Authors Connect, AU Artists Connect, AU Library Infobites, and other pertinent activities. It offers a flexible venue finely tuned to enhance the overall library experience.
Furthermore, we're eagerly preparing for a naming ceremony, dedication, and grand opening, tentatively scheduled for late January. Your presence at this celebratory event would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or need additional details. More details to come.
Air University Library is excited to share access to a new e-resource! The Wire China is a digital news magazine dedicated to understanding and explaining one of the biggest stories of our time: China's economic rise, and its influence on global business, finance, trade, labor and the environment.
Air University Library is excited to share access to a new e-resource! Foreign Affairs is an electronic journal provided by The Council on Foreign Relations on international politics, foreign policy, global affairs and many other issues.
"We’re thrilled to highlight the diverse talent and creative collectivity of local artists working in various disciplines and media,” said Dr. Stephanie Rollins. "There’s no better place", she said, "to hold an art show than in a place devoted to research and history."
Air University is moving into gamification to help improve the standards of learning and modernize the teaching environment. Gamification’s goal is to reinforce topics or concepts in curriculum while simulating practical-use scenarios. The library also supports gamification through resources available for anyone, including gaming laptops, game-based learning guides, flight simulator, virtual reality equipment and board games.
The Air University Library and Immersive Learning and Simulation Research Task Force received a Pilot Training Next simulator at the Air University Library Innovation Lab, Oct. 28, 2021. Students will be able to familiarize themselves with walk around inspections, instruments, flying patterns and procedures, while instructors and coaches get real-time data read outs and give black box debriefings. “The PTN leverages the latest virtual reality technology to train students and is available for use anytime at Air University Library, including courses taught in our virtual reality classroom,” said Alisha Miles, director of the AU Library. “We’re optimistic that faculty from all around the university will integrate the PTN and our other tech gear in the innovation lab directly into the curriculum to add the benefits of immersive learning.” (U.S. Air Force photo by William Birchfield)
As it is now said often that 75 is the new 40, Air University Library celebrated its 75th anniversary recently, showing that it still has youthful exuberance to get after its mission of serving the entire institution with research support for the students, faculty and staff. Former Air University Library Director Robert Lane (right) joined the library staff to help them celebrate the library’s 75th anniversary, April 1, 2021. Lane was director from 1974-2000. Lane is pictured with current AU Library Director Alisha Miles and AU Academic Services Director Dr. Mehmed Ali. (Courtesy photo)
Over the years, students of the Regional Security Studies course at AWC have traveled to various regions to conduct field studies. The RSS trips enable senior leaders to become familiar with the political, military, economic, cultural and security issues within different regions around the world. This year, however, the trips were cancelled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and safety concerns, leaving students unable to participate in this pivotal piece of the program. Seeing a need, Dr. Brian Selmeski, an associate professor and the director of strategic initiatives, and Dr. Andy Clayton, assistant professor of leadership and augmented reality/virtual reality research task force director, teamed up with the staff at the AU Teaching and Learning Center and AU Library to come up with an alternative experience for the students.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Air University Library has made their exhibit, Female Pioneers: Those Who Did, So We Knew We Could, available online. “We are excited to have recently launched the new web exhibit and resource guide on Women’s Equality Day in honor of the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment,” said Dr. Mehmed Ali, Air University Library academic services director. “The guide is our small contribution toward helping bring attention to the larger issues that women continue to face a century later.”
While the Lunch and Learn was a onetime experience, the exhibit is still on display at the library and can be viewed on their website, https://fairchild-mil.libguides.com/c.php?g=1065744&p=7753800.
Robert Arnold, the grandson of Air Force pioneer Gen. Henry “Hap” Arnold, listens as Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center faculty members detail the history of Air University and their efforts to preserve that history, Nov. 13, 2019, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Robert Arnold visited the AU in search of an organization to donate his grandfather’s memorabilia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cassandra Cornwell.)
"Using the 3D printer in the innovation lab at the Muir S. Fairchild Research and Information Center, research assistants have developed prototype parts requested by C-130 aircrews. Once such part was manufactured for the Air Force Reserve’s 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base. The part is used to support crew-seat armrests on the unit’s C-130s. Getting a replacement part from the original manufacturer would cost roughly $300 and an untold amount of time to get; however, a former research assistant, Capt. Ian Watkins, a B-1 crew member at Dyess AFB, Texas, was able to manufacture the prototype in about four hours for less than $2 in materials." -Phil Berube, Air University Public Affairs.
Dr. Mehmed Ali, Air University Academic Services director, and Lt. Col. Daren Greg, Air University Press director, cut the ribbon on the new Air University Press bookstore located within the Air University Library, Sept. 20, 2019, on Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. The new bookstore offers free books published by the AU Press, primarily covering topics of airpower and defense strategy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexa Culbert)
Alexandra Aldridge, Air University Library employee, demonstrates one of the digitization methods the library is using to make their resources available DOD-wide, Aug. 22, 2019, on Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. The AUL is currently working on digitizing more than 2,500 linear feet of resources, providing the larger Air Force and DOD communities with access to their research and products regardless of location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Charles Welty)
Chief Master Sgt. Lee Mills, 673rd Air Base Wing command chief from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, tests out virtual reality Aug. 13, 2019, during the Air University wing commander’s orientation on Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Just one of the many projects the attendees had the opportunity to learn about was Air University’s application of virtual and mixed-reality as a means of enhancing the training of Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trey Ward)
Maj. Scott Van de Water, Air University Integration Cell, leads an ideation session using a visualization of data during the Knowledge Constellation Code Jam at the AU Library on Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, April 8, 2019. The code jam is to support an initiative by the library to take current holdings and add a real-time connectivity layer to facilitate student and faculty research. (U.S. Air Force photo by Billy Birchfield)
Justin Chrysostom, Air University librarian, shares a few of the new technologies offered at the AU library during the MGMWERX Library Ideation Workshop, Feb. 21, 2019, in Montgomery, Alabama. The Air University Library recently opened the new Innovation Lab, which boasts augment reality and virtual reality headsets, a 3D printer and a raspberry pie. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexa Culbert)
An attendee of the “Maxwell and the Movement” exhibit looks over the pictures on display at the Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center, Feb. 21, 2019, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. The exhibit displayed photos and writings highlighting the successes and challenges overcome by African – Americans here at Maxwell. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Francisco Melendez – Espinosa)
Team members from the Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center and the Teaching and Learning center open the Innovation Lab, Oct. 2, 2018, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. The Innovation Lab features virtual and augmented reality technology for Air University students to further their studies and research. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samuel Contreras)
(From Left) Col. Jeffrey Donnithorne, Air University Chief Academic Officer; Col. Jeremy Weber, Judge Advocate General’s School; Dr. Forrest Marion, Air Force Historical Research Agency; Dr. Filomeno Arenas and Dr. Daniel Connelly, Air Command and Staff College faculty; and Dr. William Waddell, Air War College faculty, pose with books they authored in the Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center Auditorium after the AU Research Roundtable Oct. 11. The first AU Research Roundtable was hosted by the AU Library and AU Press to highlight published faculty from across AU and promote the knowledge and research occurring across the university. (Courtesy Photo)
