The Orlando PTRC has been located at the John C. Hitt Library at the University of Central Florida since December 30, 1988. The highlight of the year for the Orlando PTRC was the UCF-hosted seminar, “Researching Patent and Trademark Information”, on December 13, 2018, in celebration of 30 years as a Patent and Trademark depository library. Rob Berry and Neil Massong led Thursday’s day-long event for about 75 enthusiastic attendees. The well-received program featured an IP overview, patent and trademark searching, avoiding non-USPTO scams, a panel of entrepreneurial and IP experts, followed by a reception with 30th anniversary cake—more program information is available at https://guides.ucf.edu/ptrc2018. The following day, Rob and Neil also provided hands-on search training to librarians from throughout central Florida.
L to R: UCF Library director Barry Baker, former PTRC librarian Hal Mendelsohn, current PTRC librarian Missy Murphey, Rich Gause, Sandy Avila, former PTDL librarian Peter Spyers-Duran, Meg Scharf (member of original committee that secured the PTDL in 1988), and Ven Basco
Following the success of an entrepreneurship and innovation panel held in November 2017, three of the co-organizers and I applied for and received a grant to hold a similar program specifically targeting undergraduates, and spread out as a 4-part series, entitled “Libraries Bridging the Gap between Innovation and Entrepreneurship.” Each of the four events consisted of a panel presentation focusing on a particular topic: UCF alumni entrepreneurs, patents trademarks and copyrights (at which I was a speaker and moderator), local business coaches and mentoring resources, and tips for finding industry, company and market research. The program helped to increase the library’s visibility as an invaluable resource for entrepreneurs and gave new energy to our relationship with the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership.
In the past year as PTRC librarian, in addition to regularly holding phone, email, and in-person consultations with students and community patrons seeking assistance, I’ve also spoken about patents and trademarks at the 2018 Florida Library Association annual conference, and the Florida Regional Science and Engineering Fair directors/representatives’ workshop.
Neil Massong, Missy Murphey, and Rob Berry, 12/13/2018