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Short introduction:\xa0 Today we\u2019re here with Kim Grady. Kim is the\xa0
Founding Director and PI for the NetWorks, an NSF online digital\xa0
resource center. MATEC NETWORKS is one of 3 ATE manufacturing and\xa0 engineering technology centers that offer a collection of resources\xa0
online. NETEC, MERC Online, are the other centers. MATEC NETWORKS is\xa0 part of MATEC and located in Tempe, Arizona.


Gordon: Kim, what exactly is a digital library?

Well, our digital library is a convenient and easy way to locate\xa0
valuable resources for teaching and learning. It's also a way to\xa0
share self-created and favorite classroom ready resources.

Mike: Why another digital library, what is the need and mission and\xa0
vision?

Believe me, being an advocate of not reinventing the wheel, I asked\xa0
myself that question many times. What I have come to realize is that\xa0
NetWorks and the other online resource centers that are part of the\xa0
NSF ATE program are working together to "Beat Google." We are\xa0
aggregators of resources in our technology areas. Not only that we\xa0
have criteria for the resources that make it into our collections.\xa0
How many times have you been disappointed in search results on the\xa0
WWW? Either there is just too many to sift through or they are not\xa0
the quality or type that you need. With NetWorks you get the\xa0
resources you need for instruction. That's why we think we can be a\xa0
time-saving tool.

Gordon: What types of material do you collect?

Well, we focus on material in the Semiconductors, Automated\xa0
Manufacturing, and Electronics technology area so you will see\xa0
resources that relate to the science of semiconductor processing,\xa0
instrumentation and controllers used in automation environments, and\xa0
tons of electronics and electricity resources. You heard me use the\xa0
term, classroom ready earlier. Classroom ready means it is easily\xa0
implementable into a class or training room. You won't find a lot of\xa0
research papers for example on our site. We search for and create\xa0
material that can be used in an engaging presentation, a lab write\xa0
up, or a student activity. We also believe that material that help\xa0
faculty learn fits our definition of classroom ready so you will also\xa0
see things like reports on emerging technology and tutorials on hot\xa0
topics such as rapid prototyping.

Mike: How do you build your collection, what programs do you have in\xa0
place and what results have you seen so far?

Our NetWork and relationships, NetWorks staff of industry and\xa0
marketing professionals seek out resources using tools of their trade.
Our National Externship Program allows faculty to gain knowledge and\xa0
skills in emerging technology areas that can be brought back in to\xa0
the classroom and disseminated through NetWorks. To learn more about\xa0
the National Externship Program, log on to matecnetworks.org