REGISTER TO VOTE! and then VOTE

Oregon's primary, May 20th, is looking like it may have some actual significance in the upcoming presidential election. Specifically, there is still no single democratic candidate for President. State primaries, including Oregon's, are still sorting out who will be up against the certain-to-be-nominated Republican candidate, John McCain.

Meanwhile, because of the tightly contested Democratic primary race between Clinton and Obama, those of us who pay attention to this sort of thing are hearing a bewildering tale of delegates and superdelegates.

So what do you need to know so far about the upcoming Presidential election?

#1 REGISTER TO VOTE

Voting in Oregon Deadlines: Oregon's primary is May 20. The deadline to register for the primary or register with a party is April 29. Under current state party rules, independent voters who wish to vote in the presidential primary must register with a party. (from OregonLive)

Read all about election details at the Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division but the main thing is that you need to fill out the registration form (Adobe Acrobat format) and turn it in to:

Douglas County Clerk
PO Box 10
Roseburg, OR 97470-0004
(541) 440-4252 / TTY 1-800-735-2900

or drop it off at the Douglas County Courthouse at the Clerk's Office.

#2 OK. Now you're registered. And you still want to know what's up with "delegates" and "superdelegates". You could do worse than listen to Josh Marshall of "TalkingPointsMemo.com" explain:




#3 If you want to see what the major parties are up to in Oregon, visit the websites of the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, and the Independent Party.

#4 Then, way off in November 2008, we'll vote on the candidates who win their party's nomination. Of course, then we'll all be reminded of the value and the purpose and the controversy surrounding the electoral college--the body that really elects the president. Usually.

#5 Between now and then, you can keep up with some of the Oregon political news by checking in with The Oregonian. And don't forget to register. And vote.

New Library Proxy Server: Fewer Passwords!

Great news! The UCC Information Technology Dept. has helped the Library set up a proxy server for easy off-campus access to our collection of online subscription resources. Unshackle your research from the neon-pink Library database Username/Password list-- here's how:

1. Sign on to UCC Life.
   (Don't have a UCC Life account? If you're a UCC student, contact the Help Desk at: 440-7808)
   
2. Go to the Library tab.
3. Click on the name of the database you want to access.

It's that easy! Even better, LexisNexis Academic, C.Q. Researcher, Chronicle of Higher Education, and Encyclopedia Britannica Online are now available off-campus!

What is a "proxy server"?
It is a computer that acts as a go-between each time someone tries to contact certain sites (like our Library databases), so you don't have to login to each site individually.
A more detailed definition, from intel.com:

A proxy server is used in larger companies and organizations to improve network operations and security. It can be used to prevent direct communication between two or more networks. The proxy server forwards allowable data requests to remote servers and/or responds to data requests directly from stored remote server data.

I'm on the Library website and I still can't get into the database. Why?
You need to login to UCC Life first, and go to the database from the Library tab.
On the website, the database cannot tell if you are affiliated with UCC, but once you're signed in to UCC Life, the proxy will handle all authentication and let you "in" to the database automatically.

I click on the database name in UCC Life and wait...and wait. What's wrong?
The first time you use the proxy server in a browsing session, there may be a delay while the computers confer with each other. Just be patient; once the proxy finishes its work, every database you sign into after that should load more quickly (as long as you use the same browser window).

Can I use the usernames/passwords on my handout instead of UCC Life?
Yes. The usernames/passwords for the databases will still work from the Library website. Please note that LexisNexis, C.Q. Researcher, Chronicle of Higher Education, and Encyclopedia Britannica DO NOT allow password access; to get to these resources off-campus you MUST login through UCC Life.

I think this is awesome/awful! Who can I contact?
Your librarians always love to hear what you think about this or any of the services we offer!

New Books for Beating Break Boredom!

We know. You just finished all that cramming for finals and the rush of turning those textbooks back into the bookstore hasn't even worn off yet. The last thing you want is more obligations.

But hey, wait a minute! Even if that camping trip to the coast pans out, it's looking pretty wet outside. You might just want to check out a few of the UCC Library's New Books--

See the full list here, or scroll down for some staff recommendations!

Katie's Picks:
How to talk about books you haven't read
NEW 027 B Bayard, Pierre.

Because we've all had that awkward moment at the table with family where we realize our conversation choices are down to books or politics, and the latter is a really bad idea.

In defense of food : an eater's manifesto
NEW 641.3 P Pollan, Michael.

Pollan's simple guide to eating well is just as interesting as the meals described in his earlier title, The Omnivore's Dilemma. One of the modified rules ("Don't eat anything your grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.") makes me wonder-- Starbucks' coffee drinks: yes or no?!

These are just a few of the great new items at the Library this week, and all books and CDs check out for three weeks, so come grab something to keep the boredom away this Spring Break!

We Have Winners!!!

Our "First Student To. . ." Contest has come to an end. 20 students walked away with $25 UCC Bookstore gift certificates over the last week. In case you're wondering about the categories for all of these "First Student Awards", here they are:

First student to. . .

use "please" and "thank you" in a transaction.
pick up his/her library holds.
check out more than five books at once.
check out only ONE DVD.
ask for help with the library catalog.
turn a flash drive in to "lost and found".
use a dictionary in the reference section of the library.
turn a student ID card into a library card.
copy down or comment on the library "quote" behind the desk.



use the color copier.
come up to the counter wearing UCC clothing.
rent a locker.
ask for help with citation formats.
look the sleepiest.
check out a DVD that starts with the letter "G"
ask for an explanation of the contest rules.
say "PowerPoint" to one of the staff.
sharpen a pencil.
check out books from the library display (or look at the display!)
ask for wireless printer instructions.

Congratulations to all of the winners. Thanks to those who agreed to have their pictures taken!

And to the rest of you. . .better luck in future contests!