Patent Collection
Since 1934, Main Library has been a United States Patent and Trademark Depository Library, housing a collection of patent information dating from 1849.

More than six million U.S. patents have been granted to date, and your Library is the local access point to this wealth of information. Patents provide a fascinating historical record of invention, while reflecting the cutting edge of technology. One can examine patents to see if ideas are truly new, use them to watch technical trends develop, date antiques, find drawings of mechanical items or a myriad of other research possibilities.

Main Library's Business Technology Department is home to the patent collection. The staff is trained to help patrons locate patent documents. Ask a Business Technology librarian for an introduction and the handout Patent Searching at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library when you're ready to begin your search.

Marketing Resources

Businesses need to let potential customers know about their products and services. But few companies have the time or resources to thoroughly research the marketplace or identify customer and market trends. Up-to-date market information is vital to business success, and the Business -Technology Department at Main Library is able to help provide this information by helping identify target markets and market trends.