Highline Library Staff Blog

Script and procedure for freeing up computers in the Information Commons when a class is beginning

Here is a script and procedure I use when a class is about to begin and we need to free up computers in the Information Commons:

May I have your attention please…

A class is about to begin in the instruction area. That means we’re about to lose 20 of our computers and students will be waiting for machines. When people are waiting, first priority goes to Highline and CWU students. At this time, if you are not a Highline or CWU student please give up your computer and come back when the class is over, at _____ o’clock.

Also, if you are doing something recreational, as a courtesy please consider giving your computer to someone who has school work to do.

Give it a minute and keep an eye out. If enough computers are not vacated…

It appears we still need more computers. Once again, if you are not a Highline or CWU student, please give up your computer now. At this time I will be coming around to check for student IDs. Please take out your ID now. I will start from this end.

Point to my starting point; then do ID check. I often need to remind students, when I get close to their tables, to please take out their cards so they’re ready for me.

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Script and procedure for freeing up computers in the Information Commons:

Here is a script and procedure I generally use when trying to free up computers in the Information Commons:

May I have your attention please…

All of our computers are currently in use and students are waiting. When people are waiting, first priority goes to Highline and CWU students. At this time, if you are not a Highline or CWU student please give up your computer and come back at a less busy time.

Also, if you are doing something recreational, as a courtesy please consider giving your computer to someone who has school work to do.

Give it a minute and keep an eye out. If enough computers are not vacated…

It appears we still need more computers. Once again, if you are not a Highline or CWU student, please give up your computer now. At this time I will be coming around to check for student IDs. Please take out your ID now. I will start from this end.

Point to my starting point; then do ID check. I often need to remind students, when I get close to their tables, to please take out their cards so they’re ready for me.

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The Thunderword Office

The Thunderword is the campus student newspaper.

Their office is located in Building 10, Room 106.

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Off-campus Access to HCC Databases

Students have two different ways to log in to our databases from computers that are off-campus:

1. They can use their last name and highline id number.
2. They can use their student network username and password (myHCC accounts)

Posted in FYI, For Students | No Comments »

Free Telephones for Students

Students can make free local calls in Building 8.

The phones are located on the first and third floors, near the restrooms.

Users should dial “9” first.

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myHCC Student Email Accounts

August 2009

Letters have begun to go out in the mail to all current and recent students regarding the conversion of student logins to the new myHCC accounts. Admissions will begin sending similar letters to newly admitted students soon.

If students have questions about these letters:

TO ACTIVATE A NEW ACCOUNT
https://myinfo.highline.edu

NEED ADDITIONAL HELP AFTER THAT?

SEE https://myinfo.highline.edu/help/

EMAIL helpdesk@highline.edu

CALL 206-870-4880

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Closest Fax Machines for Students

Students often ask at the Circulation Desk for a FAX Machine. There are no FAX machines on campus for student use.

Here are the 4 closest local businesses that provide FAX services:

Dollarwise: 1 mile away
22848 Pacific Highway S.
Des Moines, WA 98198
(206) 824-1505

1. Go East on S. 240th St.
2. Left onto Pacific Highway South, driving North
3. Dollarwise is on the Right side of the street

Fred Meyer, Midway: 1 mile away
25250 Pacific Hwy South
Kent, WA 98031

Sunday – Saturday 7:00am – 11:00pm

1. Go East on S. 240th St.
2. Right onto Pacific Highway South, driving South

Fed Ex-Kinko’s
Kent-Station: 5.1 miles away

207 W Kent Station St, Suite 107
Kent, WA 98032
253-856-0203

Mon – Fri 7:30am – 9pm
Sat 10am – 6pm
Sun 12 noon – 6pm

1. Go East on S. 240th St.
2. Left onto Pacific Highway South, driving North
3. Right onto SR-516 (South Kent-Des Moines Road)
4. Left onto SR-181 (68th Ave S.)
5. Right onto West James Street
6. Right onto 1st Avenue S.
7. Right onto West Kent Station South

Fed Ex-Kinko’s
Federal Way: 7.1 miles away

31823 Gateway Center Blvd S
Federal Way, WA 98003

Mon – Fri 7:00am – 11:00pm
Sat 9:00am – 9:00pm
Sun 9:00am – 9:00pm

1. Go East on S. 240th St.
2. Left onto Pacific Highway South, driving North
3. Right onto SR-516 (South Kent-Des Moines Road)
4. Take ramp on Right to I-5 South
5. Take Exit #143
6. Right onto S 320th St
7. Right onto Gateway Center Blvd S

Posted in FYI, For Students | No Comments »

How to resize an image

When I need to resize a photo I usually use Picasa.

Picasa is a free tool from Google and I think it is pretty wonderful - both because it is free, and because it works really well.  It is available for Windows, Mac and Linux.

It is available here: http://picasa.google.com/

It does many things.  It can resize and retouch photos, take screen captures from your computer screen and even edit movies!  It is a very handy tool.

Here is a link to a movie that discusses the features: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rskC6c_5L1M

Here is a link to instructions on how to resize a photo using Picasa: http://picasa.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=13821

Another method is to use Microsoft’s Image Resizer.  The Image Resizer program is available for free download from Microsoft and runs on WindowsXP: http://download.microsoft.com/download/whistler/Install/2/WXP/EN-US/ImageResizerPowertoySetup.exe

Here are instructions to resize images using Microsoft’s Image Resizer: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/learnmore/tips/eschelman2.mspx

Happy resizing!

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Off-campus student access to WOIS

WOIS is a great source of information on careers, schools, and training programs in Washington State.

If students at home use the WOIS link on the library website they will have the same screens as we get from on campus. They will be asked to log in using their SID and last name.

It’s available from several areas of the HCC Library website:

@ the 1st link under “Databases” on this page,

as well as alphabetically under “W” in the Databases list.

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Proquest loses access rights to the Seattle Times

Effective January 1, 2009, ProQuest will no longer distribute full-text
ASCII content from The Seattle Times in its current newspaper products.
However, abstracts and indexing for The Seattle Times will remain. This
means that full-text Seattle Times content (both current and backfile)
will be removed from the ProQuest Washington Newsstand database on that
date.

ProQuest will work with its customers who currently subscribe to The
Seattle Times via ProQuest products to offer alternative solutions. A
proposal to compensate Washington libraries for the loss of this content
is expected by next week. State Library staff will work with the SDL
(Statewide Database Licensing) Advisory Committee to make a
recommendation on behalf of Washington libraries.

Additional information, as it becomes available, will be posted on the
SDL web site at www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/SDL and announced on the
WALIBSDL e-mail list (to sign up for this or other WSL lists, visit
www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/lists). SDL staff, Will Stuivenga
wstuivenga@secstate.wa.gov 360-704-5217, and Ahniwa Ferrari
aferrari@secstate.wa.gov 360-570-5587, can be reached toll free at
1-866-538-4996.

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