How do you handle situations where library users are seeking assistance with patent or trademark research?

    Focusing Perspectives on Information Exploration

    Sample interview questions: How do you handle situations where library users are seeking assistance with patent or trademark research?

    Sample answer:

    Handling Patent and Trademark Research Assistance for Library Users:

    Assessment and Triage:

    • Determine the user’s specific research needs, including type of intellectual property (patent, trademark, etc.) and scope of inquiry.
    • Assess the user’s prior knowledge and experience with patent and trademark research.

    Resource Provision:

    • Provide access to relevant online databases, such as LexisNexis TotalPatent, Thomson Reuters IHS Markit, and USPTO Patent Full-Text and Image Database.
    • Suggest print resources, such as patent and trademark classification manuals, abstracting and indexing journals, and specialized treatises.
    • Guide users to the library’s resources for searching international patents and trademarks.

    Search Strategy Guidance:

    • Assist users in developing effective search strategies based on patent and trademark classification systems.
    • Explain the principles of Boolean logic and the use of keywords and search terms.
    • Provide guidance on how to conduct field-specific and advanced searches.

    Interpretation and Analysis:

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