CHECK IT OUT

With the end of campaign trail 2000 now clearly in sight, a little

research about today’s political scene may be worthwhile. Find resources

for it at Newport Beach public libraries, where numerous books and

Internet sites examine election 2000 candidates and issues.

If you’re curious about landmarks on the road to the White House,

check out “Choosing the President: A Citizen’s Guide to the 2000

Election,” a nonpartisan look at the election process by The League of

Women Voters. Uncover ample insight into campaign strategies, voting

rights and laws that govern how Americans select the most powerful person

in the world in this succinct review from the country’s leading

voter-education organization.

Review similar territory in “The Road to the White House, 2000: The

Politics of Presidential Elections,” an updated version of Stephen J.

Wayne’s popular classic, incorporating many changes that have taken place

in American politics since 1996. Designed as a primer on the presidential

selection process, this lucid best seller covers key areas of the race

and includes a discussion about complexities of the current campaign

finance dilemma.

For readers concerned about the decline of public participation in

national politics, John B. Judis’ “Paradox of American Democracy”

presents a detailed portrait of interaction among organized political

blocs, public policy foundations and the federal government.

Other important questions about money, ambition and issues seen as

kinks in the process by which America chooses its leader are raised in

“No Way to Pick a President” by Jules Witcover.

Few would deny the importance of the media in influencing how

Americans vote, and you can explore the affect of events broadcast in

living rooms across the country with Martin Plissner’s “The Control Room:

How Television Calls the Shots in Presidential Elections.”

Dig deeper into the fractious world of televised combat with

“Presidential Debates” by Alan Schroede, a lively tour of ad-lib moments

that reveals just how much televised talkfests matter.

The Web may be your best bet for the most current information about

candidates and issues. If you don’t have access at home, head for the

library, where such sites as o7 www.newportgreenlight.comf7 and o7

www.citizens4traficsolutions.comf7 provide timely guidance for local

measures. Or head for o7 www.smartvoter.orgf7 or o7

www.easyvoter.orgf7 for coverage of state and federal races.

If you’re still confused about the political process -- or if you want

to capitalize on election fever to educate future voters -- head for the

libraries children’s sections.

With such snappy new volumes as Dan Gutman’s “Landslide: A Kid’s Guide

to the U.S. Elections” and Judith St. George’s “So You Want to Be

President,” learn about the democratic process in action and what 41 men

who have risen to the nation’s highest office have gone through to get

there.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams, in collaboration with

Steven Short. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by

accessing the catalog at o7 www.newportbeachlibrary.orgf7 .