The major event of the year was the postponement of the PTDLA Training Seminar which would have been held right about now. The Patent and Trademark Office is experiencing a Great Recession of its own, as many of its primary customers are either not filing or not renewing patents and trademarks at an unheard of rate. This has forced the USPTO to make cuts to the Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program (PTDLP), which has affected both itself and the Patent & Trademark Depository Libraries (PTDLs) to which it provides such excellent service. I encourage everyone to read the USPTO Performance and Accountability Report which should provide much needed context for understanding the current circumstances under which our Program is operating.

Developing alternatives to the budget-related limits to normal operations at the PTDLs and within the Program have been a challenge to everyone. As such, I am encouraging everyone to attend the ALA Convention in Washington D.C. where we will have an Association Meeting at a time and a place to be named soon. I will be volunteering at the PTDLP booth on the convention floor and I hope to see as many of you as possible. Christine Kitchens has scheduled training sessions on June 29 and June 30 and I hope that all of you, but particularly the librarians new to the PTDLP, will take part. Please select a time and a day that works best for you and RSVP Chris:

Session Location: USPTO Madison Building – Lobby, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Session 1: June 29th 1:30 to 4:00pm Introduction and Orientation to the USPTO and PTDLP - IP Overview, Lecture and Tour
Session 2: June 30th 9:00 to 4:00pm Hands on Training of Patent and Trademark Systems for Novice Users
Session 3: June 30th 9:00 to 4:00pm Hands on Training of Patent and Trademark Systems for Experienced Users
Cost to participants: Free
Accommodations: Hotel, meal, and travel accommodations are the responsibility of the attendees.
Registration: To reserve a seat, RSVP by June 8th to ptdloffice@uspto.gov or call 1-800-435-7735 option 2. Indicate the session(s) you will be attending.

Mark this on your calendar, and contact us if you have questions by telephone at 800-435-7735 option 2, or by email to: ptdloffice@uspto.gov

At this point, these sessions are the only ones that the Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program has scheduled to offer this year. I have asked our Planning Committee to discuss other possible alternatives to the Training Seminar and I hope to share their ideas with the rest of you.
Earlier in the year we nominated Joanne Dugan Colvin to the Patent Public Advisory Committee and while she did not get appointed, I thought she was of the same rank as the people who did and I am very appreciative of her agreeing to be nominated.

The intention of the Executive Council is to carry on with PTDLA elections to preserve continuity. The need for members to volunteer to run for office and serve on PTDLA committees has never been greater. The PTDLA is our best resource for communicating our needs and suggestions to the PTDLP and thus on to other offices of the USPTO. I hope to have more information later.

- Andy Wohrley