The Chester F. Carlson Patent and Trademark Depository Library (a PTDL since 1999) has been pretty busy this year. Aside from our regular walk-in patrons, we have seen an increase in the number of users who have requested information to be sent to them at home, followed by an hour or two of one-on-one IP tutorial. We are always fortunate to have 8 hours a week to be dedicated to Patent and Trademark work, as our depository library is housed within our Science and History Division. These 8 hours are granted to us by our endowment, and enables a History librarian to cover the Reference desk.
We have had a local Patent and Trademark attorney come back several times to discuss the Basics of Intellectual Property as well as How to Market an Idea. Classes are very well attended, and we see some regular repeat customers at these talks.
Jeff Levine and Kate Meddaugh have presented at several local public libraries around Rochester on searching for patents or trademarks, what type of Intellectual Property protects an idea, as well as some pitfalls and scams to watch for in those independent companies. In fact, this year after the seminar, they are going to be part of a 4 day seminar at a public library. They plan to cover some of the topics mentioned above. <