We noticed an uptick in patron traffic at the Minneapolis Central Library since last Seminar, both in terms of class attendance as well as individuals coming in or calling for assistance.
continue my monthly patent searching class, including “taking it on the road” and doing it at a couple of library locations. We also partner with LegalCORPS, a pro bono lawyers group, to offer several classes during the year, including an IP overview and one on how to write and file a provisional patent application.
The library held its second annual Entrepreneur Expo in October. Once again attendance was great with about 200 people showing up for a day of networking and a variety of speakers. I mediated a patent panel session that was very well received. The panel consisted of the president of our local inventors group, an engineer, the director of LegalCORPS, a patent attorney and a librarian who spoke about their 3D printing capabilities.
Also in October we were treated to a visit from James O. Wilson, the Assistant Regional Director of the Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional Office. A delightful and engaging speaker, he told folks about the Detroit office and how they can assist Midwest inventors.
In November we partnered with the Minnesota Association of Law Libraries to host a bag-lunch program featuring a professional patent searcher and later that evening we hosted a law clinic that was put together by a patent attorney and some University of Minnesota law school students. It gave the students some real-life experience and a number of inventors got free legal consultations!
This February I was invited to do an IP and database overview at the James J. Hill Center in St. Paul. I’m always happy to have the opportunity to spread the word.
Most of the year I was splitting my time between the downtown and a suburban library. Late in the year I decided to drop down to 32 hours a week, and spend all 4 days back downtown. Happily, one of my colleagues, Amelia Cohoes, is eager to learn more about patents and trademarks and is joining me this year at our 40th Training Seminar.
Respectfully submitted,
Walt Johnson
Hennepin County Library, Minneapolis Central Library