1) It goes against my idea of what a library is all about - giving access
to information to as many people as possible. It would be particularly sad
if such a wealthy resource as this was restricted in this way.
2) Many people consider it to be "The Patent Office Library". It is the
place to which the patent office send people enquiring about patent
information. It brings into question the whole idea of published patent
specifications being in the public domain.
Lorne Wood-Roe
Patent Searcher
Mewburn Ellis, Patent & Trademark Attorneys
mewburn@enterprise.net
----------
> From: Steve van Dulken <Steve.vandulken@bl.uk>
> To: piug-l@derwent.tecc.co.uk
> Subject: British Library considering charging for access to patents
> Date: 30 April 1997 21:08
>
> The British Library is carrying out a reading room survey on the 30
> April and 1 May to ask (among other things) if readers would mind paying
> for admission to the reading rooms.
>
> This would affect anyone coming into the patents reading areas, hence my
> mentioning it. The idea is to gather data for possible consideration by
> the Library's Board because of the "very severe financial constraints
> under which the Library is currently working".
>
> As I myself work for the Library I cannot really comment, but anyone who
> comes into the reading room is encouraged to fill in the questionnaire
> or to send comments to Heidi Abbott who can be contacted on tel. 0171
> 412 7754.
>
> Steve van Dulken
> Chair, PATMG