Public User's Meeting

Public Records Division (PRD)/Public Search Services Division (PSSD)
Public User's Meeting
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Remsen Building Conference Center

The Public User's Meeting was held at 2:00 p.m. in the 1st floor conference room 1D04/1D14 of the Remsen Building at 400 Dulany Street on the USPTO campus in Alexandria, Virginia. Martha Sneed, Manager of PSSD, chaired the meeting. There were 2 member(s) of the public in attendance.

Announcements

  • All security badges for PSF users should have been renewed by Dec. 31, 2009.
  • Deadline for renewing online access cards is February 12, 2010.


Public Search Facility (PSF) Updates

Security strips are being applied to the bound volumes. If users are looking for a volume missing from the shelves seek assistance from the PSF staff.

There is nothing new scheduled for UPWS at this time.

Question: When closing the facility for holidays, does it have to be done abruptly? Is it possible to give users more advance warning? Why can't USPTO Security staff stay until normal closing hours on days when the government decides to close early, especially if there are just a few hours left until closing? Answer: Advance notice for the December 24 early closure was given several days in advance because we had several days advance notice. Advance notice for early closure on December 31 was less than one day, so we had less than one-day advance notice to offer. Early closures can occasionally be announced on the same day. As has been repeated at previous public user meetings, please always anticipate early closures on days preceding federal holidays, especially the Christmas Holiday and New Year's Day Holiday. They don't always happen, but often do. Also be aware of bad weather impacts on opening hours. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance is followed, so if there is a two hour late arrival due to weather, the Public Search Facility will open two hours late. A seasonal public notice is posted annually to remind customers. If in doubt, check Operating Status for Washington, DC at www.opm.gov/. As for asking the USPTO Security Office to cover public desks in the absence of Public Search Facility staff, that is outside the scope of work provided for by building security service contract.

Comment/Question: There are some missing images on foreign image database. Also, EAST has been running slow for approximately 2 weeks. Answer: Thank you for the missing document numbers. We will get back with you shortly on those. Also, the image servers have been adjusted over the weekends, which may be having a residual effect. We will check into the problem try to find out more specific information.

This is also a reminder that CIO John Owens, will be coming to another Public User's Meeting in the near future. He may have updates on the impact of the current budget situation on systems in the PSF.

User Suggestion: Is it possible to invite Undersecretary Kappos to attend a Public User's Meeting? Some public users would like to discuss issues relating more to their work needs, but perhaps outside the scope of systems and services in the Public Search Facility. Answer: Raise the suggestion at meeting where CIO attends, as he is responsible for all aspects of public dissemination, or request in a letter.

Public Records Division Update

No updates at this time.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:45pm. Next meeting date is February 17, 2010 at 2:00pm in the Remsen building conference center, room 1D04/1D14.