The growing multiplicity of mechanisms now available for access to content makes librarians' decision-making about how to use their budgets most effectively to meet their community's information needs more complicated. Gail discussed plans to standardize metadata required for data and text on the web which can help users to address errors they encounter. Metadata should indicate who provided or submitted the data and should state data providers' intended purpose in making it available. Several specific web sites Gail demonstrated provide examples of new roles for delivery of information from author or publisher to end user, products online vendors are developing which are aimed at end users, and approaches publishers are using to add value to their products through web tools. Nancy Lambert , expert chemical patent researcher at Chevron Research Company in California, reviewed basic information about patents and presented updates and search tips for several online patent search products.
Patents can help researchers learn about their competitors' activities.
Information about patents and patent applications may augment directories of consultants in specific fields or provide solutions to technical problems. Nancy reminded the audience of the scope of international patents and associated information searching challenges. The three legs are that the patent must be new, it must be unobvious, and it must be useful. Increased possibility exists for extensions resulting from PTO delays in processing applications. Provisional applications may be filed without claims or declaration, for a reduced fee, and the provisional filing date will be the priority filing date if converted to a regular application within twelve months.