of the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County
Science and History Division
3rd Floor, Bausch & Lomb Public Library Building
(585) 428-8110 Hours
The Chester F. Carlson Patent & Trademark Center is an official Patent and Trademark Depository Library (PTDL). Many of the databases found in the Center are only available at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), or other PTDLs. There are only five PTDLs in New York State, and 83 in the country. To learn more about the Patent and Trademark Depository Library program, visit the program's site here.
The Center provides resources that help an inventor to:
- Conduct a thorough patent and trademark search
- Evaluate an invention's marketability
- Investigate ways to sell an invention
- Network with other local inventors
In addition, the Center provides free, one-on-one consultation, and large group training. Call (585) 428-8110 to schedule an appointment.
The Inventor's Society of Western New York meets at the Central Library from 6:30 pm to 9 pm every third Thusday of each month. Join them for a free program and network opportunity.
The Center is part of a nationwide network of libraries that works with the USPTO to provide information services to the public. It is named for Chester F. Carlson, inventor of xerography, and patent attorney. The Chester F. Carlson Patent & Trademark Center is partially supported through a generous grant from the Chester and Dorris Carlson Charitable Trust.
Check out these other resources for more information:
The Central Library's Business & Government Division has books that will help you evaluate your invention's marketability, and investigate ways to sell it. Business directories can be used to search for manufacturers. Resources to help you plan and begin your own business are found in the Small Business Resource Center.
Email the Patent Librarian.