Libraries offers many resources and services to help inventors answer many questions: What is the market for my idea? Will I need a patent? How do I promote my idea? The US Patent & Trademark Office provides sites devoted to serving the special needs of inventors. The Lemelson-MIT Invention Dimension site also provides a wealth of inventor resources including inventor profiles, patent guidelines, links to online invention resources, and more.
Library databases, like ReferenceUSA, can be helpful in locating businesses to license or manufacture your product, or to find out how large a market exists for your invention. ReferenceUSA provides detailed information on millions of U.S. companies, organizations, agencies, and households. Search its business module by company name, company executive name, sales volume, SIC/NAICS codes, number of employees, and more.
The library’s ebook collection includes many books about inventors and innovation that you can check out from home with a Chester County Library card.
Stay Connected with Chescolibraries 