REPORT TO BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
SUBJECT
Title
Discontinuation of Patent and Trademark Resource Center Services at the Sunnyvale Public Library
Report
BACKGROUND
Since 1963, the City of Sunnyvale has hosted a Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) through the Sunnyvale Public Library. On more than one occasion, the efficacy of continuing patent services was considered by the City Council. In 1994, the City of Sunnyvale partnered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to deliver enhanced intellectual property services on a cost recovery basis. The partnership was known as Sc[i]?, the Sunnyvale Center for Innovation, Invention, and Ideas. Although charged with full cost recovery, the Sc[i]? partnership was never able to achieve this goal. As a result, Council decided on March 28, 2006 to discontinue Sc[i]? partnership services, but remain a Patent and Trademark Resource Center. At that time, the PTRC program offered unique services which were not available without visiting a PTRC location or the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.
City Council is scheduled to consider this item on November 28, 2017.
EXISTING POLICY
Library Collection
Action Statement 6.2A.3c Provide a collection of patents and trademarks.
Finding and Using Materials and Information
Action Statement 6.2B.1d Provide patent reference services based on demand and financial self-sufficiency for Sc[i]? services.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a "project" with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
DISCUSSION
The PTRC in the Sunnyvale Public Library is one of seven PTRCs located throughout the State of California. The other six sites include: Los Angeles, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco and ...
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