Public Records Division/Public Information Services Division
Public User's Meeting
May 20, 2009 2:00 p.m.
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 PISD, chaired the meeting. There were two members of the public in attendance.
Announcements
No announcements.
Public Search Facility Updates
The PSF will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2009 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. PSF will open for regular business on Tuesday, May 26, 2009.
On the 2nd floor, one of the coin-operated telephones has been removed by the phone company due to lack of use. This leaves two coin-operated telephones on the 1st floor and one on the 2nd floor.
A historical area is being developed in the PSF. It is an on going project within the Facility focusing on the history of public searching at USPTO.
Solutions are being sought to remedy the odor problem in the restrooms. Facilities is looking into better air fresheners and cleaning.
User Comment: They are not mopping the restroom floors everyday.
Response: PSF Manager contacted USPTO Facility Management and was informed that USPTO facility services clean all four Public Search Facility restrooms each day. The task of mopping the restroom floors is included in the cleaning services performed on a daily basis.
Public Search Facility employees are working on a project to apply security strips on special collection microfilm reels to reduce the risk of missing reels from the collection. The first phase of the project will be completed the middle of July. Public Search Facility employees reviewing the microfilm collections are identifying missing or broken reels so that replacement reels can be ordered.
PSF Librarians are updating the technical references and renewing subscriptions to periodicals that assist searchers.
Question: How about getting new printed classification manuals?
Response: PSF employees have identified the need to refresh the old printed classification manuals (bound paper copies) found in several locations in the search facility. A project to replace torn pages will begin during the summer.
Question: Is it true new workstations are coming to the PSF?
Response: There is no plan to replace UPWS equipment in FY09 or FY10. A large number of CPU's were replaced in FY08.
Public Records Division Update
Question: Is it possible to establish a way to submit the "power to inspect" electronically and order copies online?
Response: We will revisit this and keep you informed if current practice changes.
Question: At Randolph Square, why is a public searcher limited to only using the entrance from the garage side in order to gain access to the building?
Response: The physical layout of the lobby drove the design of security at each entrance. The first floor will be retail, so USPTO had limitations. The parking lot entrance is the only entrance where public users can go through the magnetometer and X-ray equipment, and then go through the turnstile. However, public users may use the Randolph Street entrance by signing in as a visitor if they prefer that entrance. The parking lot entrance does not require signing in.
User Comment: Document Services Branch has been doing a good job getting documents out.
The Public Users Meeting was adjourned at 2:27 p.m. Next meeting is Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in Remsen Conference Center Room 1D04/1D14.