We’ve seen an increase in use of the Center and believe it’s primarily due to articles in our local paper. Back in September, a local columnist did a series of articles on Rochester, NY and patents, reminding readers that we are ranked among the top 5 of Patents per Capita. He spotlighted the Library and the Carlson Center, with all of the great resources we have to offer people conducting patent and trademark research. He had a follow up article on Sunday, June 17th which featured the Carlson Center once again.
With the help of our great Communication and Graphics department, the Carlson Center finally has a sign with Chester’s signature, and our literature about the center includes the signature and has had a face lift. It looks new and exciting, and is certainly eye-catching.
Other good news, we recently received an anonymous donation to the library’s Friends and Foundations Office in honor of the PTRC. The donor specifically stated that he was grateful for all of the help he received here at the Carlson Resource Center and that his patent and the invention are doing quite well out in the world. I believe this is the first significant donation made in honor of the Center. Catherine Carlson, who funds our Center, continues to donate generously, enabling us to attend the yearly conference, as well as to purchase relevant material.
Jeff and I have gone to local public libraries offering classes on Intellectual Property. These classes are always well received and usually have attendance figures in the 30s. We were asked to go to one of our local large public library to talk about the “Hidden Treasures” of Central, and we spent a good long time focusing on the special holdings and assets at the Patent and Trademark Resource Center.
Steve Nash and Alla Levi were judges again this year at the Invention Convention, a statewide invention education program for public and private school students from grades 1-9. The goal is to stimulate the development of students’ creativity and imaginations, thereby building a new generation of American inventors. Students between the ages of 6 and 14, from the Rochester and Finger Lakes Region can participate. I went to a local private college and took part in a colloquium on Intellectual Property. This too resulted in some customers to our Center.
Some unfortunate news, since our hours have changed due to budget cuts, we have lost our connection with the Inventor’s Society of Western New York. They no longer meet at the library, and as far as we know, they are still looking for a place to meet. A local private college has offered to host their meetings, but we are unclear at this time if this partnership will take place. This Inventors group may yet find that the Rochester Public Library is still the best place to meet.
Summer of 2012 has been busy. I have had the pleasure of working with patrons in the Carlson Center, and have had others interested while walking by. We are fortunate that the Science and History staff is comfortable enough to give a preliminary tour and basic information. I am then able to call or schedule an appointment with them when Tom is here, where I can sit down one on one and work with them.
Personally, my Mom and I are in the process of applying for a Utility Patent. We are currently Patent Pending and are hoping to have prototypes made very soon. The resources at the Carlson Center have been extremely useful to Mom and me when we come in together to use them during my off hours. It is so awesome to have this connection with the patrons who use the Center. My personal experience has already helped in aiding our patrons and gives me all the more confidence in the Chester F. Carlson Center’s future value to the Rochester community.