One of the “Original 22” PDLs, Sunnyvale became a Patent Depository in 1963. The current PTDL reference collection shares space with business reference materials. In that same area, there are two computers devoted to patent and trademark research. Nine librarians offer patent and trademark reference services. Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to noon, long-time volunteer, Larry Corina, orients the public to patent classification searching and to the USPTO website.

A series of recurring intellectual property classes and programs for independent inventors and entrepreneurs continues to draw participation and interest. A class on “Getting Started with PubWEST” was added this year. In addition, a local patent attorney presents an excellent overview of intellectual property. All in all, classes and programs on intellectual property that were presented in 2009 attracted 295 participants.

Marjory Cameron

On our Library blog, the write-up on “the real McCoy” about inventor Elijah McCoy, has been viewed 4,349 times since it was first published in February, 2008.