the role of the patent and trademark librarian in the digital age
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The Role of the Patent and Trademark Librarian in the Digital Age. Karen Stanley Grigg North Carolina State University Libraries. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Role of the Patent and Trademark Librarian in the Digital Age
Karen Stanley GriggNorth Carolina State University Libraries
The changing digital world requires Patent and Trademark Depository Librarians to serve new ways roles in providing access to patent and trademark services and collections.
Presentation Topics
Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program (PTDLP)
Stakeholders Time and Location- Independent
Services and Collections Evaluation of USPTO searching tools Changing Roles of the Patent and
Trademark Librarian
What is the PTDLP?
PTDLP launched in 1871. Purpose- to decentralize patent and
trademark information. Originally 22 libraries, now 4 times
that amount. Half of PTDLs are public, half
academic.
Who are the stakeholders?
Faculty As inventors As instructors
Students As inventors As scholars
Extension Community General Public
Evolution of USPTO Searching Tools
Print tools until 1988. CASSIS system launched in 1988. USPTO web site launched in 1996. CASSIS concurrently maintained
along with Web database.
Traditional Service Model
Undistributed. Not time and location- independent. In academic library, main focus on
external patrons. Little time left to promote patent
and trademark information to internal patrons.
Can we apply distance learning model to PTDLP?
Universities showing growing commitment to time and location-independent services.
This model is successful with students- why not use with services to outside patrons?
Geographical separation of patrons from PTDL.
Independent inventor a good candidate to be a distance learner
Inventors autonomous and self-directed.
Number of Americans with internet access increasing dramatically.
Home computer users have high expectations of what the Web can deliver.
Evaluation of USPTO Searching Tools
By 2000, the USPTO added all U.S. patent images back to 1790. However… full text searchability limited. TIFF format used- requires separate
plug-in. prints one page at a time.
USPTO is maintaining upkeep for two separate search systems.
CASSIS interface difficult to use and unavailable remotely.
Changing Roles of Librarians in Digital Environment
New roles emerging: Technological Liaison Curriculum Advisor Trainer Advocate for patrons to the
USPTO
Technological Liaison
Creation of matrix that identifies questions that can and cannot be answered remotely.
Creation of support tools web sites multimedia tutorials
Partnership with USPTO to enhance search tools and collections.
Examples of helpful tools
Patent Search Tutorial and Information - University of Texashttp://www.lib.utexas.edu/engin/patent-tutorial/index.htm
NCSU Libraries: North Carolina’s Patent and Depository Library Partner. http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/ptdl/
Curriculum Advisor
Partnerships with: Instruction librarians Relevant departments and faculty
Curriculum- integrated instruction model allows for building these skills into the curriculum.
Role as Trainer
Decentralized service model requires greater competencies of all reference staff.
Tiered service model.
Tiered Service Model
Three tiers: First tier should be required of all
reference staff. Second tier will be distributed to
“backups”. The third tier - patent and trademark
subject specialist. Begins with understanding of two types of
patent questions- known and unknown….
Known Patent Questions
Patron is looking for something believed to exist. Known Patent Questions are often easiest for
beginners. Some examples:
“My great-grandfather invented a widget in the 1920s or 1930s and I am trying to find a record of the patent.”
“This journal article references US Patent number 5,146,634 and I need a copy of the patent.”
“I am trying to print a list of all the trademarks held by Ocean Spray Corporation.”
Unknown Patent Questions
Usually exist when researching the uniqueness of invention or trademark and searching for prior art.
Challenges: Complexity- must use classification
system. Legal issues- cannot give any legal advice. Unlike most searches, goal is to NOT find
results.
Development of Tiered Service Model
Competencies, all Reference Staff (Tier One)
The ability to… Conduct the reference interview; Assist patrons with basic known
patent and trademark questions; and
Identify and assist patentability patrons.
Tier Two Reference Staff
All of the competencies expected of Tier One Reference Staff plus:
The ability to: Use print indexes for more complex
questions; Handle patrons with more challenging
patentability questions; and Assist when reference staff are
overwhelmed by other desk traffic.
Patent and Trademark Librarian
All of the competencies expected of Tier One and Tier Two Reference Staff plus:
The ability to: Handle difficult reference questions
that Tier One or Tier Two Reference Staff have not been able to answer.
Provide reference training.
Patent and Trademark Librarian, cont.
Integrate patent and trademark instruction into the curriculum where appropriate;
Maintain patent and trademark collections;
Administer the duties the USPTO requires of PTDLs; and
Serve as an advocate to the USPTO for patron needs.
Advocate for Patrons to the USPTO
Communication with USPTO about patron needs. CASSIS- still necessary? Full text availability. Navigability of USPTO web.
Reference Assistance to the Technologically Challenged
USPTO withdrawing many paper tools.
Must strategize on providing services to technologically challenged.
Staffing issues… Referral often necessary.
Conclusion
Using distance learning model is completely in line with mission and values of the PTDLP.
New service model allows patent librarians to serve new and more valuable roles.
Ultimately, the long-term goal of both the USPTO and the PTDL should be to work towards creating systems that are convenient and easily accessible to all Americans from the privacy of their own homes or closest public libraries.