The Wyoming State Library (WSL) became a PTRC in 2005. I am the sole staff member within the PTRC, and additionally manage the Federal Depository Library Program here at WSL. We are the only PTRC in the state and consequently, serve the entire population of Wyoming. Our state population is approximately 544,000. As a consequence, the majority of my service is distance (phone and email) versus one-on-one interactions here at WSL.
With the acquisition of PubEast, the focus of the WSL PTRC this coming year will be on marketing this fabulous resource. Thus far, this has included several blog posts on the Wyoming Entrepreneur Small Business Development Center blog introducing PubEast and promoting other resources available at WSL PTRC. Also, I recently joined the Southeast Regional Director of WyomingEntrepreneur.biz on his monthly “business” segment on a local radio talk show. We aired a 30 minute informative conversation on Intellectual Property in general, resources available at the PTRC (including PubEast), and recent changes brought about by the America Invents Act.
Our PTRC website includes our service information, a link to our Wyoming Inventors Database (WID), the Wyoming Trademarks Database, helpful links to the USPTO, and a link to USPTO Intellectual Property Training video podcasts. I update both databases monthly and conducted an online webinar in 2013 on searching the Wyoming Trademarks Database for Wyoming librarians.
I continue to speak annually at Wyoming Senator Enzi’s Spring Inventors Conference. This conference is hosted by Senator Enzi and brings information about the patent process and procurement opportunities to Wyoming inventors and entrepreneurs. The focus of my presentation is basic patent/trademark searching and services offered by the WSL PTRC. This conference is extremely well attended and is held in a different location around the state each year.