Patents information in the library/information studies curriculum

Abstract

A survey of the patents information content of the fourteen UK institutions offering library or information studies programmes was conducted in June 1990 by the Patents Information section of the Science Reference and Information Service. The questions covered programme content, teaching methods, the use of British Library (BL) publications as teaching aids, changes which had occurred in programmes over the last five years and possible future changes. It was concluded that the vast majority of the programmes (75%) had some patents information content. Most spent at least two hours teaching the topic and most aspects of the subject were covered. Many of the lecturers used interactive methods for teaching. There was widespread awareness of BL patent publications amongst lecturers and some appreciation of their use as possible teaching tools. About 70% of the institutions reported changes in teaching the topic over the last five years with a similar percentage anticipating changes in the near future.