Patent and Trademark Information and Training offered at the Library

In March 1988, the Louisville Free Public Library became a U.S. Patent and Trademark Resource Center, part of a network of 81 U.S. libraries having current and retrospective U.S. patent and trademark files and reference resources. In this role, the Louisville Free Public Library provides unique access to patents and trademarks records and training opportunities, as well as the opportunity to consult the Patents and Trademarks Librarian in workshops and in one-on-one consultations.

Walk-in service at Main. The reference staff is happy to help patrons with their patents, trademarks, and copyright questions any time the Main Library is open. The Patent and Trademark Depository Collection is at Main. It is best to call in advance (574-1617) to see if the Patents and Trademarks Librarian is available.

Special 2-hour lab classes for groups. Special 2-hour classes for groups on patent or trademark research can be arranged by calling Rae Shepherd-Shlechter, the Patent and Trademark Librarian, at 574-1617.

Access to equipment with TIFF programs installed, so you can do a patent search on the USPTO website. Searching for you patent is an important step in determining if your invention is unique or not. Click here for "Searching United States Patents on the Internet"

A monthly lab workshop, Patents and Trademarks, is offered at the Main Library. This workshop is geared to inventors and individuals seeking patents and/or trademarks. An introduction to the basics of intellectual property law, information on market research, and a tutorial on how to search patents and trademarks on the USPTO Web site are covered. Interested individuals need only to show up to the Computer Learning Center at the time of the workshop. No registration is necessary and all LFPL workshops are free. Click here for the handouts from this class.

Marketing Assistance for Inventors and Copyright and Trademark Customers is offered through a monthly lab workshop, Business Resources Online, offered at the Main library and is geared to individuals who need help with market research. Inventors, artists, musicians, writers, and entrepreneurs often forget the profitability aspects of their intellectual property, and this workshop can help them with understanding their competitors, identifying manufacturers and distributors for their product, understanding the consumer, and locating industry survey and demographic information. Interested individuals need only to show up to the Computer Learning Center at the time of the workshop and all LFPL workshops are free.

The Librarian Is In Program is a service of the Louisville Free Public Library to help inventors, artists, musicians, writers, and entrepreneurs looking for help in protecting and or marketing their creative work in the marketplace. These individuals may contact the Patent and Trademark Librarian for a 45-minute session by calling Rae Shepherd-Shlechter at 574-1617. There is no fee for such a session.

The Patents and Trademarks Workshop and the Business Resources Online workshops can be found by searching the Library's Online Calendar or by calling 574-1611.

Last Updated: 04/17/2013