Repair Manuals and SAMS Photofacts

Repair information may be requested for all types of products such as automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, snowmobiles, tractors, electronic equipment, and appliances. Although some manuals may not be available through interlibrary loan, the information may be obtained in another form. Some manuals are only available from the manufacturer. The manufacturer's name, address, and telephone number will be given to the patron if necessary.

Information to include:

Manufacturer name, model number, model or brand name, and year. The serial number may also be helpful for identification, when the model number and/or year is not known.

Engine model number (as opposed to engine serial number), number of cylinders, displacement, horsepower, and type of engine (V-8, flathead, slant-6, diesel, gasoline, etc.)

What is wrong? Door latch, transmission, fuel injection, vacuum system, etc.

Tonnage (for trucks)

Styling (pickup, van light-duty, heavy-duty)

Transmission (manual, automatic, 3-speed, 4-speed, or 5-speed); linkage, drive shaft, hydramatic overdrive

Indicate if the item to be repaired is original equipment or not.

Exact repair information needed -- preferably in narrative form such as: Would like electrical wiring diagram for headlights.

Indicate if the patron knows whether information from previous years will suffice. For example, some truck wiring diagrams will be identical for several different model series or identical for 2-3 years.

Do not request an entire manual if the patron needs only a wiring diagram, engine/tune up specifications, or other specific repair information. Manuals may not circulate, but photocopies of the information needed may be easier to obtain. Various publishers provide repair information. For example, if the patron asks for Chilton's, will they also accept Haynes, Clymer, Mitchell, or any other publisher?

Include the patron's daytime telephone number on the request whenever possible so s/he may be contacted if there are questions on what is needed.

Sams Photofacts and Other Electronic Equipment Schematics Sources

Sams Photofacts,Computerfacts, VCRfacts, and other specialized publications by Howard W. Sams and Company provide schematic drawings, photographs, and service-related information for various pieces of electronic equipment. Among them are auto, citizens band (CB), and transistor radio receivers; modular high-fidelity components; televisions; videocassette recorders; computer components; and tape recorders. Sams publications are sources of information for anyone wanting to repair electronic equipment.

The company's Annual Index lists more than 155,000 chassis and models described in Photofacts. Arranged alphabetically by brand name, the index includes chassis/model numbers under each brand name and a corresponding Photofacts folder or publication number to the right in dark print. The Annual Index in print or the company's online database at http://www.samswebsite.com/photofact/pf_search.asp can help librarians or patrons determine if there is a Photofacts folder with information on the particular model a patron has requested.

The company may be contacted by phone (800) 428-7267 or through the website at http://www.samswebsite.com/ to request a free copy of the Annual Index.

Publication History

According to The National Cyclopedia of American Biography, Howard W. Sams and Company technicians began disassembling radio receivers, recording every step of the process, and photographing each part in the 1940s. Photofacts resulted when they gathered the information into folders and first published them in April 1946. Photofacts was an immediate success with service technicians, electronics manufacturers, and jobbers. The company expanded to produce other technical publications. Prompt Publications, an imprint of Howard W. Sams & Company, now handles the publication and sale of Sams Photofacts, Computerfacts, and VCRfacts.

Available Copies

The Reference and Loan Library (R&LL) circulates Photofacts through interlibrary loan. Requests for Photofacts should include the model year and number of the television, radio, etc., the brand name, and if known, the Photofacts folder number given in the Annual Index. The more complete the information provided in the request, the more likely the patron will receive the correct Photofacts folder.

Reference and Loan Library does not own items marked photocopy in the Annual Index; R&LL staff suggest the patron contact Prompt Publications to inquire about purchasing those items (1-800-428-7267).

Other Resources

A related group of materials that may be of interest to collectors and repairers of radios is also available from the Reference and Loan Library. It is the Perpetual Troubleshooter's Manual by John F. Rider. Published between 1933 and 1952, the 23 volumes contain schematics and parts lists for battery sets back to the 1920s. 27 volumes of the Rider Television Manual are also in the collection. The later volumes include coverage of transistor and home radios.

For more information about requesting Sams publications and other repair manuals from the Reference and Loan Library, Wisconsin librarians may call the library toll-free at 1-888-542-5543 (Choose 5 for Reference services). Individual library users should contact their local public library.

For questions about this information, contact Shiela A. Pollock (608) 224-5395

Last updated on 2/25/2008 1:35:51 PM