Patent Library Service in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Twenty four UK libraries are officially listed as making UK patent literature freely available to all. A list of these libraries is given, arranged by Economic Planning Region, and observa tions are made on this system of patent libraries, its historical development, functions and costs. Considering the costs of the system, available statistics suggest that the present level of use does not justify the maintenance of some of the present provincial patent collections. Possible reasons are given for differences in levels of use between individual libraries. The main conclusion drawn is that, at a given level of expenditure, the system of patent libraries would be more effective if its resources were concentrated in fewer, but larger libraries. These libraries should offer facilities not greatly inferior to NRLSI facilities for UK and the most heavily used foreign patent literature, and should be sited with regard to the distribution of population and industry in UK. It is observed that the suggestions made accord with the general approach of the National Libraries Committee and represent a continuation of longstanding trends in the development of the system.