How are Engineering Librarians Using Patent Literature? A Pilot Survey

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to collect preliminary information and feedback from academic engineering librarians on the uses and usefulness of patent literature and databases in their day-to-day work with students, faculty and researchers. A SurveyMonkey survey consisting of eight questions was posted from April 28 through May 16. An e-mail inviting academic engineering librarians to complete the survey was posted on ELDNET-L, an open e-mail list maintained by the Engineering Libraries Division of the American Society for Engineering Education. The list has approximately 500 subscribers. Forty people completed the survey.