PTDLA STATEMENT FROM THE WEB SITE:
The objectives of the PTDLA are to discover the interests, needs, opinions, and goals of the Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries (PTDLs) and to advise the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) in these matters for the benefit of PTDLs and their users, and to assist the PTO in planning and implementing appropriate services.
Mission Statement Definition – a short succinct statement focusing on the purpose of the organization, its reason for existence, and what it hopes to accomplish.
Vision Statement Definition – describes the perfect world, the preferred future, focuses on the ultimate end, not how to get there.
USPTO vision statement from their Strategic Plan Web site: Leading the World in Intellectual Property Protection and Policy
Goals and Objectives:
Goal 1: Identify the needs and interests of PTDL libraries.
Obj. 1: Develop and implement a survey to assess the needs and interests of PTDL Libraries.
Obj. 2: Analyze the survey to identify the most pressing and the most commonly expressed needs and interests.
Obj. 3: Use the mentor program to identify and address the needs of new PTDL librarians.
Goal 2: Communicate the needs and interests of PTDL libraries to the USPTO.
Obj. 1: Share the survey results with the USPTO along with proposed solutions to address the problems and needs identified by the survey.
Obj. 2: Use the existing communication mechanisms of the PTDLA (the ListServ, Web site, on-line newsletter, blog, and yearly seminar) and evaluate evolving technologies to maintain a constant flow of ideas.
Goal 3: Assist the USPTO in planning and implementing appropriate services.
Obj. 1: Encourage the attendance of at least one representative from each PTDL to the annual training session at the USPTO.
Obj. 2: Increase participation in patent and trademark training by encouraging the USPTO to provide opportunities for distance education training at each PTDL.
Obj. 3: Explore new ways of getting information to an increasingly digital public who is less likely physically to visit a PTDL program library.
Obj. 4: Collect information from PTDL librarians about patron needs and relay to the USPTO.
Obj. 5: Explore partnerships with librarians in non-PTDL universities/libraries to offer IP courses/education/training to science, engineering, and business students and the public.
Obj. 6: Explore ways to promote filing and management of patent and trademark applications electronically.
Goal 4: Increase participation in PTDLA by PTDL librarians.
Obj. 1: Give an overview of the PTDLA Web site at the training session for new PTDL librarians so they will be aware of all the activities and publications of the association.
Obj. 2: Offer internships on PTDLA committees so that new members can observe the activities and gain knowledge and confidence before making a full commitment.
Obj 3: Encourage PTDLA membership for librarians who do not attend the seminar on a regular basis.
Obj. 4: Promote opportunities for on-line participation especially for those who only get to attend the training seminar every few years.
Goal 5: Promote the sharing of resources among PTDL librarians and beyond.
Obj. 1: Provide space on the PTDLA Web site for marketing tools and library instruction resources, etc.
Obj. 2: Encourage PTDL librarians to submit their own resources for posting to the PTDLA Web site for use by other librarians in their own programs.
Obj. 3: Encourage PTDL librarians to publish and present intellectual property related research and information in widely read/disseminated venues.
Goal 6: Support USPTO efforts and initiatives aimed at strengthening IP protection and curbing theft of IP.
Obj. 1: Encourage and support PTDL librarians in conducting training on IP rights matters.
Obj. 2: Explore partnerships with librarians/organizations in other countries to deliver effective educational programs about the benefits and effective use of IP that improves an understanding of IP rights and raises awareness of scams and IP theft worldwide.
Committee members: Ginny Baldwin, Charlotte Erdmann, Linda Spiro, Joanne Tobin
Comments
Updated Draft?
There has been no activity since early may and I was wondering if there is a more current draft that could be posted. I see Jim's draft and I think it is better than the first. Any thoughts on Jim's version? or should we continue our critique of the first draft?
Goals 1 and 2
Mike White - Queen's University
Goals 1 and 2 are very closely related. In fact, I think Goal 2 could be an objective of Goal 1. It really doesn't stand on its own. In Goal 1, Obj. 1 and 2 could be merged. Also, I would change the title of Goal 1 to "Monitor the needs and interests..." Since these could change over time. A survey could be administered every 2-3 years.
Goal 2 should be rewritten to focus on the needs and interests of users of patent and trademark information. Its objectives could include collecting feedback via surveys, focus groups, etc.
Goal 1, obj. 3 (Use the mentor program...) is a little vague... how would this work? What kind of information would it collect that wouldn't be collected in a survey? It might be better to strike this and mention the mentor program in Goal 4, which focuses on increasing participation in PTDLA, e.g. "Use the mentor program to cultivate new PTDLA leaders."
Mission/Vision statements
The committee took the MV statements to the conference and worked on them. Then we had Jan look over the document before presenting at the meeting. Jan, wisely, I think, suggested that we just present the goals and let the members start a conversation. After that the MV statements would be more easily flushed out. And I would say that is exactly what is happening.
Esther posted our revised document on the Web site in time for the PTDLA meeting.
Once again, thank you for your input!
Membership
Mike White - Queen's University
Another issue that is critical to the future of the PTDLA is membership. (See Goals 3, 4, 5 and 6.) Currently, PTDLA allows full membership only for those librarians and library staff working in PTDL libraries. In any given year there are probably no more than a few dozen full members. Is this really sufficient to represent the needs of 300 million Americans in matters relating to patent and trademark information?
There are hundreds of librarians at non-PTDL libraries (in the U.S. and abroad) providing patent and trademark information to the public. Go to any academic library serving engineering students and you will find patent research guides and how-to search workshops. Most large public libraries offer workshops on starting businesses and entrepreneurship.
I think it's time for PTDLA to extend full membership to all librarians with a bona fide interest in providing patent and trademark information to the public, whether or not they work at a PTDL. After all, GODORT offers membership to anyone with an interest in government information and anyone with an interest in patent information can join PIUG.
For as long as I've been a member of PTDLA it's been a struggle to find volunteers to fill all the positions and committees. Opening up the association would increase our potential pool or volunteers, increase our resources and attract new ideas, energy and opinions.
Mission/Vision Statements
Great points Mike! Since our mission and vision statements didn't get printed, I think we could lift your words for the mission statement and ask for improvements on the following suggested vision statement.
Mission:
Promote and support the dissemination, use and preservation of patent and trademark information for the benefit of the public.
Vision:
PTDLA supports the patent and trademark nonlegal information needs of the public with continually evolving and successful methods of instruction and dissemination.
Goal 6
In response to commments from Mike and Martin:
Goal 6 is in direct response to the USPTO strategic plan Goal 3 and the initiatives under Objective 1
http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/strat2007/stratplan2007-2012.pdf page 33. It differs only slightly from Goal 3 in that it is a direct response to a goal in the USPTO Strategic Plan.
Here is a proposed change,
Change the title of Goal six to "Support efforts and initiatives in the USPTO "Strategic Plan 2007-2012 "
Relocate Goal 3 Obj. 6: "Explore ways to promote filing and management of patent and trademark applications electronically" to Objective 1 under Goal 6.
Then the next 2 objectives currently under Goal 6 would be objectives 2 and 3.
We can reword the new Objectve 2 as Mike suggested:
Currently: Encourage and support PTDL librarians in conducting training on IP rights matters.
Rewritten: Encourage and support PTDL librarians in educating the public about the benefits of IP and IP information.
Furthermore, after reviewing my notes from the conference, I would add a new objective to Goal 3, which would now be Objective 6:
Objective 6: Encourage and support PTDL librarians in promoting awareness of the USPTO Search Templates
Missing the Big Picture?
Mike White - Queen's University
I've read through this document several times and found it lacking. First of all, it hardly takes into account the needs of the public and where users' needs are mentioned they play second fiddle to the needs of PTDLA librarians. "Users" and "the public" are mentioned 3 times; "libraries" and "librarians" are mentioned 17 times. This seems out of whack to me.
I would argue that this document ignores the principal reason why the PTDL network (and PTDLA) exist: to promote and support the dissemination, use and preservation of patent and trademark information for the benefit of the public. All other goals and objectives should flow from and connect to this mission. This hasn't really changed because we now live in a age where millions of people have easy access to patent information. In fact, it's become more important.
PTDLA is the only organization that can advocate for continued public access to quality patent and trademark information. Patent attorneys and agents have the ABA and AIPLA. Corporate users of patent and trademark information have the PIUG. Patent owners have the IPO. Inventors have the UIA. Vendors of patent and trademark information have various trade associations and lobbyists. Even the USPTO's "public" advisory committees are composed mostly of attorneys, academics and USPTO employee union representatives. Who speaks for the public, independent inventors, small businesses, non-profits, educators and students?
Possible additions/changes
I wonder what happened to our Vision/Mission statements. All I see are the definitions, not the statements.
In light of comments, perhaps we should change the Vision Statement to:
PTDLA responds to the patent and trademark nonlegal information needs of patrons with continually evolving and successful methods of instruction.
Here is one version of the Mission Statement:
PTDLA provides a network of support for PTDL librarians involved in disseminating patent and trademark information and education to local communities. The association also gives feedback and assistance to the USPTO for its ongoing training and communication activities with PTDLP libraries.
Rereading Goal 3, Obj. 6 this slight change might make it clearer:
Explore ways to promote the electronic filing and management of patent and trademark applications.
Five goals could be sufficient if goal 6 oversteps the boundaries.
Goal 6
Mike White - Queen's University
I agree with Martin about Goal 6. Objective 1 implies that librarians can and should be trained to act as patent agents/attorneys, which is entirely inappropriate, unethical and, in some jurisdictions, illegal.
Goal 6 would be much better if was focused on educating the public about the benefits of IP and IP information.
Note: I'm not against librarians educating themselves about IP law and IP rights. In fact, I think every librarian should keep up with current developments in the law. The more you know, the clearer the line is between providing information and unauthorized practice of law. However, this goal should be dealt with under librarian training.
Comments from Martin Wallace, Orono ME
I only have three comments.
First, can't we use the "PTDLA STATEMENT FROM THE WEB SITE", or a modified form of it, as our Mission Statement?
Second, does PTDLA have an older vision statement that we can re-adopt or update?
Third, I am uncomfortable with Goal #6. I think that a lot of IP law is fundamentally flawed and as a librarian, I don't see it as my job as to strengthen or support it. It's not my job to help patrons protect their IP either. I don't even see how this is related to being a PTDL.
Objective one is clearly a legal matter, and we are not to give legal council to our patrons. I feel it is the burden of the inventor to protect their IP with the assistance of an IP attorney, not a librarian.
Objective 2 I am okay with, but it seems misplaced under this Goal.
Perhaps someone can explain why Goal #6 is here, and maybe defend why it is necessary. Maybe I can be convinced.
Thanks,
Martin
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