Food Security Resource Center

Online Database - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
*Question Index (click on a question below to view the answer)...* How do I search the database? (Tips for searching...) What types of materials and topics can be found in the database? I did not find what I was looking for - how can I get help in searching? Does it cost anything to search the database? How can I get back to the FAM web site from the database? Are all the materials in the database available online? How do I find the materials in the database that are online? How can I see materials that are not online? Do I need a login and password to search the database? What if I forget my login and password? Are there materials in languages other than English in the database? I encountered an error while using the database - how can I report it? I would like to donate materials to FAM's library - who should I contact?
*How do I search the database? (Tips for searching...)* Simple searches: Conduct simple searches from the main database page from the three text boxes at the top. You can search either 1) the call number, if you know it (remember our database uses only simple numeric call numbers such as "706"; 2) a keyword in the "Title" field; or 3) an author's name in the "Author" field (you can use a first name, last name, or portion of the name if you are unsure how to spell it). Hint! If you type in the full title of a document, your search is less likely to return accurate results. For better results, use only one or two key words, or a fragment of the title. Advanced searches: Click on "Search Database" at the top of the database screen to access the advanced search screen. Scroll down to the purple search field. You will be able to search by title, author, publication date, language, series title, series number, bibliography type, descriptors and identifiers. You may also search the "Notes" field (abstracts of each document). *Hint!* Descriptors and identifiers are pre-set keywords in our database. Try searching by your own keyword in the Title or Notes fields before using descriptors and identifiers, as your keyword may not be in our descriptors or identifiers lists. Descriptors and identifiers are best used to give an indication of the topics covered in the document.
*What types of materials and topics can be found in the database?* The FSRC contains a broad range of materials whose topics go far beyond food aid. Due to the nature of our organization, however, most materials have relevance to food aid and food security. The FSRC has both published and unpublished materials including research reports, program proposals and evaluations, monitoring guidance, training materials, and policy documents. Topics covered include sustainable agriculture, land tenure, gender, food aid policy, commodity management, integrated pest management (IPM), water and sanitation, maternal/child health and nutrition, child survival, food security assessment methodology, local capacity building, participatory rural appraisal (PRA), programmatic guidance, food aid monetization, and many more.
*I did not find what I was looking for - how can I get help in searching?* Staff are available to assist with research during business hours, Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm (United States Eastern Time). Please contact the staff by emailing fsrc@counterpart.org.
*Does it cost anything to search the database?* No, there is no charge to search the database.
*How can I get back to the FAM web site from the database?* To return to the FAM web site from any page in the database, simply click on the FAM logo in the upper left corner of the screen.
*Are all the materials in the database available online?* No, not all materials in the database are online. In some cases, this is due to copyright restrictions or because the author has requested that we not post the document to our web site. In other cases, it is because an electronic version does not exist. FAM would like to make as many of its materials available online as possible, and is constantly working to update its collection.
*How do I find materials in the database that are online?* When a document in the database can be viewed online, the web address of the document will appear in the "Notes" section of the record. To find all documents in the database for which we have current online access, use the "Search Database" function by clicking on the "Search Database" link at the top of the screen. Scroll down to the purple search field, and enter "http" in the large text box at the bottom of the search field (the Notes section). Then click on the enter button at the bottom of the screen to display your results. We make every effort to ensure that our links remain up-to-date. If you find a non-working link in our database, please notify us by emailing fsrc@counterpart.org.
How can I see materials that are not online? Materials from the FSRC's collection are not loaned. To view materials that are not available online, contact the Resource Center by emailing fsrc@coutnerpart.org. You have two options - if you are in the Washington, DC area you may visit the FSRC in person to view hard copy. Otherwise, you must order a hard copy, either from the FSRC or from the original publisher of the document. There may be cost recovery charges associated with ordering materials from the FSRC.
*Do I need a login and password to search the database?* No, you do not need a login and password to search the database. You can perform both simple and advanced searches without logging in. The advantage of having a login and password is this allows you to save your search and return to it the next time you visit the database. To get a login and password, email fsrc@counterpart.org. If you have a login name and password which you would prefer to use, please indicate these in your email. If you do not indicate a preference, a login and password will be randomly assigned to you. This information will remain private.
*What if I forget my login and password?* If you forget your login and password, email fsrc@counterpart.org and they will be emailed back to you.
*Are there materials in languages other than English in the database?* Yes! There are materials in a variety of languages. The two most common languages in our collection (other than English) are French and Spanish, but there are also materials in Portuguese, Creole, Amharic, and a few others. It is easy to find these materials simply by clicking on the "Search Database" link at the top of the database screen. As you scroll down the page, you will see a purple search field. In the top right corner of the search field, select the language in which you would like to find materials by clicking on the box next to the language you want (your choices are English, French, Spanish, and Other). You can select more than one language at a time. Then click on the "Search" button at the bottom of the screen to display the search results.
*I encountered an error while using the database - how can I report it?* If you encountered an error in the database, a misspelling, or just want to make a comment or suggestion about the database's functionality, we would love to hear from you. Please contact fsrc@counterpart.org.
*I would like to donate materials to FAM's library - who should I contact?* If you have a document or another type of medium (e.g., CD-ROM) that you would like to donate to the FSRC's collection, please contact fsrc@counterpart.org.

What is the Food Security Resource Center? The Food Security Resource Center (FSRC) is a food aid and food security library, containing over 8,500 books, periodicals, research papers, project documents, CD-ROM programs, training materials, videos, and evaluation studies. It is open to the public. Materials are not loaned, however, copies may be made (charges apply - see below).
How can I find documents on a specific topic? The FSRC provides an *online,* easy-to-use, searchable database of all hard copy materials in the collection. If you can not visit the center or search the database in person, staff may be available to perform searches for you and send you an annotated bibliography of the materials found, either in hard copy or by email. To contact the Counterpart International staff with a resource center-related request, email fsrc@counterpart.org. Bibliographies of FSRC Materials on specific topics are available below on this page.
How can I visit the FSRC? To visit the FSRC at Counterpart, email fsrc@counterpart.org. The FSRC is located in the offices of Counterpart International at 1200 18th St., NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036 (the corner of 18th and M Streets, NW, close to metro's Red Line subway station, Dupont Circle).
What are the charges for ordering materials? Some materials may be available for free. Check with the information specialist for a price quote before ordering materials. Cost recovery charges of $0.15/copied page, $1.50 handling, and shipping at cost apply to most hard copy document orders. When available, electronic copy is distributed at no charge. Ordering information will be given for any document over 150 pages.