Intellectual property information services and the impacts on academic libraries’ transformation from the perspective of Chinese university libraries

Abstract

Approximately 100 Intellectual Property Information Services Centres have been established in Chinese university libraries, more than 80% of them since 2017. The context of this boom in Intellectual Property Information Services Centres is the rapidly increasing number of patent applications in China, as well as an unacceptably low transfer ratio. Do Intellectual Property Information Services Centres represent a promising direction for university library transformation? This is the central issue addressed in this article. The characteristics of the Chinese evolutionary path and driving forces are discussed, and distinctive intellectual property information service practices are studied and summarized. Comparisons are made with the USA, the UK, Europe and India. With Intellectual Property Information Services Centres, university libraries can evolve from information providers to innovation catalysts, and establish closer connections between universities, communities and industries. The impacts of Intellectual Property Information Services Centres on university librarianship are multifaceted. The trends and challenges of intellectual property information services are also discussed in the article.

Keywords

Intellectual property information services patent information services academic libraries library transformation Chinese university libraries

Introduction

Since 2017, approximately 100 Intellectual Property Information Services (IPIS) Centres have been established in Chinese university libraries. These provide a broad spectrum of IPIS. The themes of this article are the evolutionary path, special practices and driving forces behind this, and their potential impacts on library transformation. In the post-knowledge-service era, libraries will go beyond providing knowledge, which itself is more advanced than providing information (Ke, 2019).¹ Can university libraries offer intelligence? This article discusses the possibility that IPIS Centres could become a channel for university libraries to offer intelligence services. The distinctive Chinese practices described here may offer inspiration to other academic libraries that are considering transforming their services, have interests in supporting their parent institutions in creative ways, or wish to support innovation more directly.

This article is based on research into literature, websites and working reports from respective libraries, as well as from the experience of IPIS meetings in China, conversations with library curators and patent librarians, and site visits. International comparisons are also offered. The research approach includes the use of statistics, analysis and reflections.

Intellectual property comprises patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial design rights, and so on (Free Dictionary, n.d.). In the following, patent information services are the theme since patents are an essential form of intellectual property, and patent information services are the major task of IPIS Centres in China. In this article, ‘university libraries’ denotes ‘libraries in higher education institutions’.

Literature review

Patents are an essential form of intellectual property. Patents provide a system for promoting design by granting a monopolistic right for a given time in exchange for the price of disclosing information and allowing public access. There are two main functions of the patent system: the ‘exclusivity function’ and the ‘information function’ (Mboya, 2011). Patent information is so valuable that numerous countries have state patent information service networks. There is a wealth of literature on patent information services. But, when focusing on patent information services and librarianship, the literature narrows down considerably. The majority of the literature about library and IPIS is from the USA, the UK, Europe and China. The USA has 83 Patent and Trade Resource Centers (PTRCs) in libraries, with 44 of them in academic libraries. A report by the vice-president of the Patent and Trade Resource Center Association has summarized the current situation and challenges (Zwicky, 2016). In the UK, the system is centred on the British Library, a public library system which has 15 impressive Business & IP Centres. Public libraries in the UK are becoming engines of economic growth, creating new businesses and jobs through Business & IP Centres. Their reports (British Library, 2019; UK Government, 2013) provide evidence that these are valuable from the perspective of both IPIS and library transformation. There is interesting literature about European Patent Information Centres (some of which are in libraries), explaining how to run them profitably (Wurzer and Hundertmark, 2005) and presenting successful practices for building them into regional patent centres (Sternitzke et al., 2007).

With the rapid growth of IPIS Centres in China’s university libraries, the literature about IPIS in libraries is growing quickly, as shown in Figure 1. More than 200 articles written by Chinese authors have been published in the past five years. Of these, 20% comprise various surveys showing that IPIS are still at a primitive stage (Qiu et al., 2021); 25% are theoretical explorations, including operational models (Wang et al., 2015), mechanisms (Zhao et al., 2020), platform establishment, performance evaluation (Deng, 2020), cooperation models, use of the service competence enhancement approach (Zhang et al., 2018), and IPIS and an innovation ecosystem (Wang et al., 2020); and 35% are creative practice and case studies, including how to service community and related industries (Zhang et al., 2014), how to customize services for specific projects or research teams, or in specific research phases (Feng and Zhao, 2015), and how to nurture high-value patents (Quan et al., 2021). An interesting article discusses the marketing of IPIS Centres, involving pricing strategies and practices (Li et al., 2021). A growing literature reveals the ongoing movement and prompt reflections on this field. However, among these articles, few are in English (Feng and Zhao, 2015). As a result, the outside world knows very little about IPIS in Chinese libraries.

Figure 1.

Number of articles published related to IPIS.

Library transformation has been a leading topic in the field for some years; there is much relevant literature. For example, World Library and Information Congress: 84th IFLA Congress and General Assembly was entitled ‘Transform libraries, transform societies’.² Among current thinking about the library and its future role, there are some new ideas. Some articles argue that libraries should transform themselves into think tanks, with management consultation, decision-making support and an intelligence service function (Chu and Tang, 2018; Wang, 2018; Wu, 2019a).

International comparison is used in this article. There are articles that compare China’s libraries with libraries in the UK and the USA (Feng, 2017; Zhang and Zhou, 2019). However, global comparisons, especially from the perspective of academic librarianship transformation, have not been found. Although there is a large amount of literature on IPIS and library transformation as separate topics, little has been written about IPIS and academic library transformation. This article intends to contribute to this gap in the literature.

Development paths in China

Evolution

According to a report published by the World Intellectual Property Organization, 80% of information about new technology can be found in patent files (Trippe, 2015). Efficient use of patent information can result in a reduction in research time and costs of approximately 40%–50% (Shi et al., 2005). This is why there is so much interest globally in patent information dissemination and utilization. Many developed and developing countries have state patent information service networks and, in many cases, libraries are involved.

IPIS Centres in Chinese libraries originated in the 1980s, with their most rapid development occurring in the 2010s (Tao and Liao, 2019). The ‘Higher Education Institutions Intellectual Property Information Services Centre Establishment and Implementation Bylaw’ was launched in December 2017 by China’s Ministry of Education and Intellectual Property Office; this was a catalyst for the establishment of IPIS Centres in university libraries (Ministry of Education, 2017). A wave of IPIS Centres followed. Around 100 IPIS Centres had been established in university libraries by the end of 2019 (see Figure 2). A wide variety of IPIS practices have been tried out, implemented and studied, and relevant articles have been published. IPIS became one of the topics of greatest interest to Chinese academic libraries. Some scholars have argued that the growth of IPIS is a promising direction in university library transformation (Ren, 2019).

Figure 2.

Location of IPIS Centres in China.

In China, IPIS evolved out of novelty-search services. A novelty search can prove the novelty of an idea, project, theme or dissertation. In the 1990s, novelty-search demand increased dramatically because a lot of research was required to offer ‘novelty certificates’ to prove the novelty of research topics or results. The Chinese government accredited Novelty Search Stations to undertake such searches and grant novelty certificates. By 2004, 102 university libraries were accredited by the Ministry of Education as Novelty Search Stations, offering novelty searches for their parent universities and diverse industries (Ren, 2019). Novelty-search prices were set by the government and relevant universities, according to the search’s scope and time requirements, with minor differences from region to region and university to university (Shanghai Jiaotong University, 2007; Shanghai Maritime University, 2009; Xiamen University, 2007).

This paid service brought both challenges and prestige to university libraries. Many libraries were motivated to bring in electronic resources, recruit or transfer qualified librarians, and modify their rules related to work incentive payments. Librarians were offered the opportunity to earn extra pay in proportion to the number of novelty searches they performed. With a greater number of professional librarians and closer collaboration with university and industry research teams, as well as accreditation from the Ministry of Education, this service enhanced the public image of the university library and improved morale amongst staff. In the new century, novelty searches have developed into a high-end service in these 102 Chinese university libraries.

In 2015, China’s Intellectual Property Office certified 120 Patent Documents Service Stations across the country. Around 40 of them are in universities – not necessarily in libraries, but rather in technology transfer departments, law schools and management schools – while there are 80 outside of universities, of which three are in public libraries or technology libraries (China National Intellectual Property Administration, 2017).

Because novelty searches often involve retrieving patents, novelty-search librarians become knowledgeable about patent information databases, platforms and statistical tools. China’s university libraries have resources and staff advantages in research compared to general public libraries. For this reason, university libraries were chosen as the preferred sites for IPIS Centres when the Intellectual Property Office and Ministry of Education launched the new bylaw in 2017 to address the increasing demand for patent information services.

The big picture

The growth of IPIS in libraries in China is driven largely by the changing intellectual property environment. Figure 3 shows the exponentially increasing number of patent filing applications in China in recent years. Rapid economic development and the state’s innovation strategy are the main reasons for this acceleration.

Figure 3.

Trend in patent applications for the top-five offices - China, USA, Japan, Republic of Korea, and European Patent Office, 1883–2018.

There are other drivers of the demand for IPIS, such as scholars and institutions applying for patents for the purposes of prestige or advantages in academic titles or project competitions. The purpose of the latter sorts of applications is to hold the patent rather than to facilitate commercial transfer. In these situations, patent strength varies, and the transfer ratio is low. This phenomenon is mostly seen in universities (Gao et al., 2019).

Trade disputes between the USA and China have highlighted the importance of intellectual property. China’s Intellectual Property Office and Ministry of Education both encourage IPIS Centres to nurture high-value patents, boost patent transfer rates, and support enterprise innovation. Some more ambitious Chinese university libraries have seen this as an opportunity to try new practices and have done so with enthusiasm. Further, some provinces have implemented special projects to assist university libraries with the implementation of these new services.

Examples of IPIS practice

Tongji University, founded in 1907 in Shanghai, is a leading and respected comprehensive university in China. In terms of articles published (Shen et al., 2017; Shen and Yang, 2010), the university library has conducted in-depth studies on the number of patents and regional economic development, industry research trends based on patent analysis, competitive intelligence and patent mapping. The secretariat of China’s University Intellectual Property Information Services Centre Association is located at Tongji University library, which was also one of the first Chinese libraries to offer IPIS.

Shanghai Maritime University, located in Shanghai Pudong New Area, is a multidisciplinary university which also has a focus on shipping, logistics and oceans. Shanghai Maritime University’s Science and Technology Information Institute is located in the Shanghai Maritime University Library (2018). This library supports maritime industry innovation and has collaborated in the creation of a maritime industry information think tank. The library is representative of libraries in China that are oriented to specific industries. The university carries out its mission of supporting the maritime industry with respect to IPIS (Zhang et al., 2014). It supports this industry and its IPIS Centre has evolved into a regional intellectual property station, accredited by the Shanghai Pudong District Intellectual Property Office. It offers IPIS to the Pudong New Area and enterprises within it (Zhang et al., 2017).

Fuzhou University is located in the capital of Fujian Province, a coastal and economically developed province of China. Fuzhou University Library offers patent navigation and patent portfolio services for research teams, and has recently finished a comprehensive report on university patent competitiveness. The library is working with the provincial government to contribute to regional development. Further, the library has been developing patent databases for specific industries. It offers patent navigation and competitiveness analysis for local small and medium-sized enterprises.

Huazhong University of Science and Technology is a leading comprehensive and multidisciplinary research university in China, located in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province. In 2020, the Huazhong University of Science and Technology Library won a commercial contract to offer IPIS to a research institute outside of the university. Among libraries, this was seen as quite an achievement because the competition was fierce, including some commercial information services firms (Huazhong University, 2019).

Nanjing University of Technology is located in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, which is economically developed and known for its ‘Intellectual Property Strengthening Provincial Development Strategy’ (Government of Jiangsu Province, 2019). Nanjing University of Technology Library offers embedded IPIS in research processes (Feng and Zhao, 2015) and is the patent data centre of the China Intellectual Property Office (Jiangsu) Training Base. The library, as a provincial intellectual property information dissemination and utilization base, is strong in IPIS, with a relatively long history and a large service portfolio encompassing patent data acquisition, patent analysis, patent strategy, patent platform construction and patent clinics (Nanjing University of Technology Library, 2002).

There are two noteworthy provincial projects. The first is ‘Intellectual Property Information Dissemination and Utilization Base Establishment in University Libraries’ (Jiangsu Patent Information Service Centre, 2017), which was launched in Jiangsu Province in 2017 by the provincial Intellectual Property Office. Jiangsu Province has many universities and colleges, as well as many innovative cutting-edge industries. This project is indicative of the Intellectual Property Office’s intention to rely on university libraries to disseminate and lever patent information. Jiangsu Province provides strong policy support on this project and has sponsored data-platform construction.

The second provincial project of note, ‘Enhancing Intellectual Property Service Competence of College and University Libraries’ (Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, 2017), was launched by Guangdong Province in 2017. This province, which is located close to Hong Kong, is one of the most developed, open and innovative regions in China. Guangdong Province realizes that service competence is key and that there is a bottleneck with respect to IPIS in college and university libraries. The province is working to improve this through a comprehensive strategy. Many Guangdong college and university libraries have received support from this project.

In summary, IPIS are a promising and growing opportunity for university libraries in China, as shown in Table 1.

Table 1.

Special IPIS practices in China.

Library	Special practices or programmes
Tongji University Library	Number of patents and regional economic development reports
	Industry competitiveness and development trends based on patent analysis
	Competitive intelligence based on patent mapping
	Patent-holding analysis for universities in Shanghai
Shanghai Maritime University Library	Support for maritime industry innovation
	Creation of maritime industry information think tank
	Attempts ‘library-driven mode’ in regional innovation mechanism
	Regional intellectual property station offering IPIS to local enterprises
Fuzhou University Library	Embedded patent navigation and portfolio service within research teams
	University patent competitiveness analysis
	Specific industry patent database development
	Provincial intellectual property navigation project support
	Enterprise patent navigation and competitiveness analysis
Huazhong University of Science and Technology Library	Won a commercial contract in a competitive market to perform IPIS, patent analysis and planning for a ship-delivery device
	Fulfilled an Intellectual Property Office project on advanced porcelain materials with two other university libraries
	Cooperates with research teams and intellectual property firms to boost technology transfer
Nanjing University of Technology Library	Embedded patent information services in different research stages from planning to completion
	Patent data centre and patent information service centre of state Intellectual Property Office (Jiangsu) Training Base
	Provincial intellectual property information dissemination base
	Patent strategy consultation for enterprises
Jiangsu Province	‘Intellectual Property Information Dissemination and Utilization Base Establishment in University Libraries’ project
Guangdong Province	‘Enhancing Intellectual Property Service Competence of College and University Libraries’ project

Driving forces

China’s library IPIS evolved uniquely, with two driving forces that are characteristic of the country. One is that IPIS implementation in university libraries is driven by the Ministry of Education. In other countries, the driver is the national patent office, such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the UK’s Intellectual Property Office or the European Patent Office. In China, the 2017 bylaw was issued by the Ministry of Education and the Intellectual Property Office. Universities are the parent institutions of university libraries, and the Ministry of Education is the parent institution of universities, which means that the Ministry of Education has a significant stake in ensuring that universities follow the prescribed directives. Through 2020, 60 Chinese IPIS Centres in university libraries were accredited by the Ministry of Education as ‘state-level IPIS Centres’ (Intellectual Property Office, 2019, 2020). This is considered to be an important recognition for libraries and universities. Change initiated by the Ministry of Education is followed by assessments, recognition and incentives, all of which has the universities paying close attention.

Another driving force in China is funding. The history of paid novelty-search services means that IPIS are allowed to charge for their services. The costs of novelty searches are fairly stable but IPIS prices have to be negotiated in terms of service scope, complexity and depth of research on a case-by-case basis.

Novelty-search teams in libraries can adapt from novelty searches to more challenging, as well as more lucrative, IPIS. These are not truly commercial activities given that patent librarians are employed by universities. The income from novelty searches and IPIS represents an occasional financial supplement for libraries and universities. Customers in this market are happy with the cost of these services, which is relatively low or even free of charge. In China, university libraries are encouraged to offer IPIS, on behalf of their parent universities, to industries and communities. The small amount of money earned has an impact on libraries because, for example, it can improve libraries’ public image, lead to the hiring and training of more professional librarians, and improve morale among library staff. Libraries can meet the needs of both the university and outside clients, further adding to their reputation. This is a Chinese characteristic. The stimulus is not public funding, as it is in the UK. The stimulus in China comes from flexible policies and recognition from parent institutions.

International comparisons

Methodology

Given that patent information services are a growing and complex industry, IPIS provide a good point of international comparison. The present study focuses on libraries and compares elements that may impact on academic library transformation. Governments around the world have intellectual property offices, with the five largest being in the USA, Europe, Japan, the Republic of Korea and China. As noted in a World Intellectual Property Organization (2013) report, many developing countries are striving to disseminate and leverage patent information. However, their networks and service content are relatively limited compared to developed countries. If there are libraries involved, the service is relatively basic, for the public good, free of charge, and with no obvious impact on library development. Here, India is taken as an example of a developing country. This article provides a comparison of these countries (regions) with respect to library engagement with IPIS.

The USA

The USA has a mature and well-developed patent and trademark information service network, including a PTRC programme led by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The PTRC programme comprises 83 libraries: 44 university libraries, 31 public libraries and 8 special libraries (see Figure 4).³ Currently, 83 PTRCs are certified and have access to the Public Examiner Automated Search Tool and the Public Web-Based Examiner Search Tool, which are Patent and Trademark Office products designed for patent examiners. The search tools are only available through in-person visits to PTRC libraries or to the Patent and Trademark Office’s public search facility in Alexandria, Virginia.

Figure 4.

PTRCs in the USA.

In the USA, the boundary between IPIS for public good and for commercial purposes is well defined. Libraries offer services to the public, small and medium-sized enterprises, and independent inventors free of charge. PTRCs offer assistance in patent searching but do not offer legal advice. In-depth discussion of the core content of an innovation may disclose it inadvertently, rendering it invalid for a patent application (Zwicky, 2016). If customers need in-depth or legal services, they will be advised to contact commercial firms or attorneys.⁴ IPIS in the USA have spread from public libraries to academic and state libraries. The Patent and Trademark Office provides local portals to serve the public. University libraries are on the same footing as public libraries with respect to IPIS offerings in the USA, although many academic libraries choose not to offer patent information services. For those that do, the services are the same as in public libraries, with no obvious impacts on transformation. The current era of budget cuts and understaffing in academic libraries makes IPIS development more difficult. The vice-president of the Patent and Trade Resource Center Association has discussed how to balance conflicting service priorities in academic PTRC libraries (Zwicky, 2016).

The UK

The UK offers a different landscape. In the UK, there are two systems: one is the British Library system; the other is the European Patent Office system (see Figure 5). The British Library system is a unique public library network from which intellectual property services are offered across the country. Meanwhile, the European Patent Office system has 16 Patent Libraries (PatLibs): one at the Intellectual Property Office and 15 in public libraries.

Figure 5.

The two systems in the UK.

The British Library system is centralized. The first Business & IP Centre in UK public libraries was founded in the British Library in 2006. Through 2012, it had received 350,000 visitors, helping to create 2775 new businesses and more than 3345 jobs (British Library Business & IP Centre, 2012). Based on the successful model of the British Library, six other core city libraries became involved. The ‘Enterprising Libraries’ project, sponsored by the Department for Communities and Local Government, Arts Council England, the Intellectual Property Office and the British Library, provided funding to 10 satellite ‘enterprising libraries’ in 2013 (UK Government, 2013).

The Business & IP Centres in public libraries draw on lawyers, university professors and industry specialists when necessary. UK public libraries can go beyond the mere provision of information to offer solutions to problems, especially as they receive funding for this activity. Many valuable services are offered, such as patent clinics, marketing suggestions, one-on-one consultations, practical skills training and seminars with industry experts – to great acclaim. For example, a one-on-one consultation, which normally costs £200, can be arranged free of charge.

By the end of 2018, nine core city libraries, three county libraries and two pilot libraries had joined the network. According to the British Library’s Business & IP Centre Network report, the effects and impacts were phenomenal. The library network helps to commercialize innovative ideas, and helps businesses to innovate and grow, ‘providing targeted help to aspiring entrepreneurs and early stage businesses, and helping established SMEs [small and medium-sized enterprises] to scale’ (British Library, 2019). In total, 12,288 new businesses and 7843 additional jobs had been created. Every £1 of public money invested returned £6.95 to the economy. Among the people who started a new business through this network, 55% were women, 31% were from black, Asian or minority backgrounds, and 22% were from deprived areas. This network is seen as contributing to social equality, with public libraries acting as innovation incubators and catalysts (British Library, 2019).

The network continues to grow. With the British Library as the network centre, libraries in large urban areas provide support to their surrounding communities, and smaller local libraries can participate and apply for help. These public libraries are evolving into local community hubs to support innovation, employment and economic development. The network has had a great impact on the transformation of British public libraries in the new era. This is an example of how IPIS can grow into intellectual property services that go beyond mere information services. It is noteworthy that, in the UK, no university libraries are involved in this network.

Europe

Across Europe, there are 321 PatLibs in 37 countries accredited by the European Patent Office. Their service scope, content and operations vary from country to country and from PatLib to PatLib. Some offer value-added, in-depth, paid services as regional patent service centres (Sternitzke et al., 2007; Wurzer and Hundertmark, 2005); others offer only general consultation and training. Of these PatLibs, 131 (41%) are in universities, but not necessarily university libraries, while others are located in information service institutes, industry innovation service centres or local governments. In universities, most PatLibs are in technology transfer offices, research management departments, independent patent–innovation offices or management schools. According to website information (European Patent Office, 2020), only 15 PatLibs are clearly located in university libraries and nearly all of them offer relatively basic IPIS and not many value-added services. From the perspective of libraries, 39 (12%) PatLibs are in libraries, of which 15 are in university libraries, 15 in public libraries and 9 in technology libraries (see Figure 6). It is worth noting that the UK is the only country that leverages its public library system to disseminate patent information. Nearly all of the public libraries involved are in the UK. It seems that universities are important members of the European Patent Office’s patent information dissemination network, but not university libraries. In Turkey, for example, 45 universities have PatLibs, but not one of them is located in a university library. In Portugal, nine universities have PatLibs in technology transfer offices or innovation offices. In Romania, all five PatLibs in universities are in regional intellectual property service centres offering comprehensive in-depth services and not one is in a university library. In European universities, management or law schools might offer intellectual property education and training. Transfer offices can support innovation by providing patent information, and libraries, such as public libraries, can offer portal services to the public for free. The PatLibs in European university libraries are fundamental parts of the European Patent Office’s patent information dissemination network but have no obvious impacts on university librarianship.

Figure 6.

PatLibs in Europe.

Japan and the Republic of Korea

In Japan and the Republic of Korea, there are mature patent information dissemination networks with numerous document and information centres but these do not involve universities in either country. Some databases are referred to as “electronic libraries.”

India

India has a booming economy and an emerging patent information service market. The government is paying a great deal of attention to it and has launched a special Patent Facilitation Programme. Twenty-four Patent Information Centres in various states have been established under the Patent Facilitation Programme. These Patent Information Centres have also established Intellectual Property Cells in the universities of their respective states to enlarge the network. So far, 84 Intellectual Property Cells have been created. They are intended to enhance intellectual property rights awareness, provide training in relevant search skills, and offer assessment of the potential of an invention. However, among these Intellectual Property Cells, the information indicates that not many libraries are involved. Moreover, their service contents, in terms of the description on the Patent Facilitation Programme’s website, focus on awareness, search skills and other basic information services, free of charge, with no obvious impact on library transformation (Department of Science and Technology, 2019).

Table 2 provides a comparison of how IPIS is delivered in libraries in different countries including the roles of the state network, market environments, development stage, funding and fees. The table shows the way in which China is taking is a unique development route.

Table 2.

International comparison of IPIS in libraries.

	USA	UK	Europe	China	India
Name	Patent and Trade Resource Center	Business & IP Centre	Patent Library (PatLib)	Intellectual Property Information Service (IPIS) Centre	Patent Facilitation Centres, Patent Information Centres, Intellectual Property Cells
State network	83 PTRCs in 44 university libraries, 31 public libraries and 8 other libraries	14 Business & IP Centres in public libraries; radial system with the British Library as the centre	321 PatLibs, with 131 in universities; only 15 in university libraries, 15 in public libraries and 9 in technology libraries	100+ IPIS Centres in university libraries; 3 Patent Documents Service Stations in public libraries or technology libraries	3 Patent Facilitation Centres, 24 Patent Information Centres and 84 Intellectual Property Cells in various states and universities
Market environment	Mature market with huge commercial intellectual property firms	Mature market with huge commercial intellectual property firms	Varies in different countries and regions	Emerging market, not many intellectual property firms, increasing demand	Emerging market, increasing demand
Development stage	Developed and stable	New centralized system	Mature and stable	Boom stage, far from mature	Early stage, growing
Service content	Promotion, training, basic consulting, retrieving assistance for public good	Patent clinics, platforms to connect small and medium-sized enterprises with industry, experts, solution-oriented	Varies from superficial to extensive	Varies – moving towards academic and in-depth	Promotion, training, basic consulting and retrieving
Funding and fees	Free	Special fund, free	Varies – for free if for public good	Some are paid value-added services; some are free	Free
Impacts on library	Not obvious	Public libraries evolving into community innovation hubs	Not obvious	Profound impacts on university library transformation	Not obvious

Impacts on transformation

Library transformation has been a leading topic in the field of library and information science for some years and is of ongoing interest. The American Library Association launched the ‘Libraries Transform’ initiative in 2014 and extended it for another three years in 2017 (Libraries Transform, 2017). ‘Transform libraries, transform societies’ was the theme of the World Library and Information Congress: 84th IFLA Congress and General Assembly.

Many articles have been written about library transformation and the concepts underpinning it. This is a common experience around the world. However, there are many different perspectives on it. Some argue that libraries are transforming from libraries for books to libraries for people (Wu, 2019b) – that is, human-centred. Some studies on research data management, institutional repositories and academic library transformation show that building data partnerships is a trend in librarianship (Cox et al., 2017; Ruttenberg, 2020). Some propose that open access and open science will blur the boundaries between libraries and the publishing industry (Wu, 2019b).

In this era of digital information and computation, libraries are facing an existential crisis. According to the IFLA’s (2018) Global Vision, ‘we must update our traditional roles…we need to challenge current structures and behaviors, overcoming our passive mindset and embracing innovation and change’. Many scholars hold the opinion that providing value-added information services (including intelligence services and decision-making support) should be an important developmental direction (Chu and Tang, 2018; Wu, 2019b) – in other words, towards the creation of think tanks. IPIS in Chinese university libraries are a bold step in this direction.

One shared opinion is that the new practices that are transforming library practices are outpacing their concepts and underpinning theories. This article argues that IPIS, as value-added information services, may help academic libraries’ transformation in the following areas, and may inspire more thought and theoretical development concerning library transformation.

From information provider to innovation supporter: better positioning

In providing IPIS, libraries are showing themselves to be information providers as well as sources of direct support for innovation. With valuable IPIS, libraries can help research teams to improve patent quality, foster the filing of high-value patents and increase technology transfer, which are all emerging strengths in Chinese universities. With IPIS, libraries can also support innovation in enterprises from local communities or from related industries. Libraries will be more influential on and outside their campuses.

There has been a trend for libraries to merge with information administration departments in universities, and this is seen by some as an example of library marginalization. By offering in-depth, value-added IPIS, libraries can differentiate themselves from information administration departments, gain more attention from top management, and better position themselves within core university services. In Europe, patent information centres in universities are often located in technology transfer offices rather than libraries because patent services are seen as an inseparable part of technology innovation and transfer. For Chinese university libraries, IPIS are a way for libraries to support innovation in the university directly. In China, in the era of computation, libraries with valuable IPIS will become innovation catalysts – a critical aspect of university innovation ecosystems.

Enhanced service competence: more professional librarians

In the course of library transformation, one of the major barriers is organizational competence or human resources. IPIS require highly professional and specialized staff. With IPIS, Chinese university libraries are under pressure to improve their competence through the recruitment and transfer of appropriately skilled librarians, to attend more professional training, and to increase their number of partnerships with faculties and outside firms. Improved service competence with more professional librarians, who often have a better public image and morale, will help the comprehensive transformation of libraries in the new digital era.

More cooperation among university libraries

China’s University Intellectual Property Information Services Centres Association has more than 70 members. The association has launched many projects dealing with intellectual property education and training, librarian training, service content specifications and data sharing. More intensive and wider cooperation among the university libraries is needed for IPIS. The ‘silo’ mentality is a significant impediment on the path to library development and transformation. The Ministry of Education has designated four universities to lead in the development of a patent data-sharing platform for all university library members. University libraries in China will work together on this data-sharing platform to address their difficulties together. It is hoped that, through such initiatives, bridges will be built between silos with respect to IPIS communication and collaboration, and that, indeed, this cooperation amongst university libraries will extend beyond IPIS in the future.

Transition in culture

Libraries are seen as ‘isolated’ and as having a conservative image. Librarians are perceived as being unfamiliar with the business environment and lacking awareness of market competition. IPIS pose challenges to the library’s ‘shy’ culture. The results of a major survey carried out by the Shanghai Maritime University Library (Zhang et al., 2020) show that university libraries do not have complete confidence in their competencies and that this is the biggest impediment to them undertaking IPIS. The survey also found that companies think that the biggest problem with libraries is that they are passive and do not take the initiative. In fact, the marketplace would welcome libraries if only they could become more confident and proactive.

In China, the IPIS market is still at an early stage of development, and there are not enough commercial firms to meet IPIS market needs. The conservative university library culture, academic credibility of universities and low cost of IPIS provided by libraries may be attractive for potential customers. On the other hand, some of the work may be beyond the capacity of some libraries. University libraries in China are eager to carry out the missions set out by the Ministry of Education and Intellectual Property Office, and use these opportunities to improve service competence. A possible shortcut may be to find outside partners. Through cooperation with clients, local governments, industry institutions, contractors and other universities, libraries could gain experience, develop competencies and learn how to operate outside the sanctuary of the university. Negotiation, marketing, business and law are all new to the library’s traditional culture. But with the encouragement of government agencies and revenue incentives as a result of fee-paying services, Chinese university libraries are keen to try. IPIS practice provides a platform for university libraries to become more open, show greater initiative, and become competitive while also working with external partners. This more open, inclusive, cooperative and resourceful culture will boost library transformation in many other aspects.

From information service to intelligence service: from ‘heart’ to ‘brain’

From the starting points of IPIS and value-added information services, this article explores further. Academic libraries have resources, staff and research advantages, and can provide intelligence rather than merely information. In fact, libraries could rise to the next level of development. In the human brain, information is processed to gain insights, and insights lead to intelligence (Fagan and Ployhart, 2015) – or, information + processing => insights => intelligence.

For an organization, intelligence can mean information-processing capability, reasoning, or access to sensitive information about competitors and environments. The notion that libraries could offer intelligence services was proposed before 1924 (Cronin, 2001). Intellectual property files are rich in leading-edge technology information, which means that in-depth intellectual property information analysis can provide valuable intelligence. University libraries are valued as the heart of the university (Loma Linda University Library, 2010). By offering intelligence, libraries can evolve towards becoming the ‘brains’ of the university. There is discussion in the Chinese literature that academic libraries should have the functions of a think tank (Chu and Tang, 2018; Wang, 2018). This is one possible direction for transformation (see Figure 7). IPIS offer an important channel in this direction.

Figure 7.

Transformation of the role of the university library.

Development trends and challenges

Trends

Generally speaking, university librarians in China are optimistic about IPIS development. With the encouragement of the Ministry of Education and Intellectual Property Office, and the possibility of IPIS becoming an additional source of revenue, IPIS in Chinese university libraries are spreading fast. The direction of development of IPIS in Chinese libraries is quite different from that in either the USA or UK. It may more closely resemble that of Europe. There is a great deal of variation in the approaches taken in Chinese libraries: some offer extensive and in-depth specialized services, but more offer relatively general services, just like the various PatLibs in Europe. Some qualified university libraries will become local IPIS Centres and offer distinct, valuable and comprehensive services to their parent universities, the local community, relevant industries and local governments. The leadership demonstrated by these university libraries may foster transformation in other libraries and in IPIS practices.

Business model

The reason why IPIS could be fee-paying services is because they evolved from novelty-search services, which, as mentioned earlier, have been permitted to charge fees since the end of the last century (Shanghai Jiaotong University, 2007; Shanghai Maritime University, 2009; Xiamen University, 2007).

The service content of libraries has no obvious conflicts with agents or lawyers because libraries only focus on consulting about industry trends, patent strategies, patent clinic services and patent assessments, and none of these activities involve giving legal advice with respect to patent application filing or providing patentability judgements (Chao et al., 2021; Qiu et al., 2021). The patent information services industry is complex with a long value chain. Libraries have enough space to offer valuable and legitimate services to universities or to the market. But the business model for IPIS is not clear enough. It is still a focus of debate (Li, 2017). IPIS require valuable electronic resources and tools, and competent employees, which are all paid by the university. Why are libraries not allowed to charge fees on behalf of the university if asked to offer services to the market? On the other hand, is it fair to existing commercial patent information firms in the market if the prices charged by a library are low (if not free) (Li et al., 2021)? The offering of IPIS by university libraries is still at a nascent stage in China. So far, there have been no major problems because the volume of services is small. In future, the government may adjust or implement new, more detailed regulations.

The main reality in China is that the market is huge, demand is increasing, libraries are encouraged to offer these services, and university libraries are enthusiastic to respond to the Ministry of Education (Chao et al., 2020). Libraries are proud of their participation and contributions, and their passion will be valued and protected. In future, there will be stricter regulations or bylaws in this field, but this is no reason to be pessimistic.

Service competence

The primary challenge is service competence. IPIS are specialized and require professional capabilities. Capable and experienced staff are highly valued for any IPIS provider. However, the development of the requisite competencies, as well as IPIS teambuilding, needs time, resources and university support. For these reasons, university libraries in China will be differentiated in future in terms of those that are able to offer sophisticated intellectual property services and those that are not. State-level IPIS Centre certification has been organized by the Ministry of Education and Intellectual Property Office, granting, in 2019 and 2020 respectively, 23 and 37 university libraries certification. These IPIS Centres have to report their work annually to the Ministry of Education and Intellectual Property Office. In this current nascent stage, most IPIS are still primitive. More detailed guidelines, quality control regulations and competence enhancement programmes are needed to assure the continuous and thriving development of IPIS in university libraries.

Innovation ecosystems and mindset

Universities could make use of their own innovation ecosystems to foster library engagement. This would facilitate innovation and technology transfer. There are many successful university innovation ecosystems, but it will take awareness, as well as policies and practices, for libraries to become an integral part of them.

With demand for IPIS from universities and from the marketplace, libraries need to develop an open culture – one where initiative and ingenuity are valued. The evolution of libraries’ culture and transformation will take time. The traditional inflexible culture and silo mentality are invisible but pervasive barriers.

Tools

Infrastructure, patent data-sharing platforms, and statistical and analytical tools are needed to provide competitive services. Currently, tools from Europe and the USA are available on the market, but, in China, tools using Chinese characters are still being developed. IPIS rely heavily on powerful tools, given the complexity of patent information. Building this infrastructure will take time.

With these challenges and barriers, IPIS are facing some uncertainties. Will it just be another wave of value-added information services trials – a phase or stage evolving into another service, like novelty-search services evolving into IPIS? There may be some adjustments in the direction of development, but with the big picture of China’s economic development in mind, as well as patent application trends, growth in the patent information service market, and being far enough from commercial firms in the market, many people believe that IPIS offer a promising direction for libraries.

Conclusion

Intellectual property information is very important in any country. Libraries can form an important part of the system of intellectual property information dissemination and utilization. But only China depends mainly on university libraries; in China, only a few public libraries offer IPIS. The international comparisons in this article make the differences clear. As noted, the background, evolutionary path and driving forces of Chinese university libraries’ IPIS are unique.

In China, creative practices and theoretical explorations of IPIS Centres are growing rapidly. Although facing some challenges, such as bottlenecks and uncertainties, the boom in IPIS Centres in China is making multifaceted and profound impacts on academic library transformation. Academic libraries have to be innovative and show initiative to support the core business of their parent institutions, by fighting marginalization in this era of disintermediation (Brabazon, 2014) and budget cuts. In China, IPIS are considered to be an innovation catalyst and a high-value service. They can support university research, augment a library’s position and service competence, facilitate collaboration, and cultivate an open culture in libraries.

The provision of intelligence services, management consultation and think-tank functions are explored as promising academic library transformation directions. In these ways, the ‘heart’ of the university may evolve to become the ‘brain’. IPIS, as a valuable intelligence service, are an important channel and tool for transformation. The growth of IPIS in Chinese academic libraries reflects this trend, which is accelerating the transformation of libraries in China as well as in other countries.

Footnotes

Acknowledgements

Wei Yang would like to express her appreciation to Ezra Miller, who was her teacher when she studied in Canada. Given that the authors’ native language is Mandarin Chinese, Mr. Miller provided invaluable help in ensuring that the English of this paper was correct and read well. He gave the authors much valuable advice. The authors are also grateful to the Academic and Research Libraries Standing Committee of the IFLA, which hosted the hot-topic discussion at which Wei Yang submitted a proposal for the 2020 webinar ‘Libraries as Catalysts: Inspire, Engage, Enable, Connect’ on 8 September 2020. The proposal and discussions resulted in the present article.

Declaration of conflicting interests

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Funding

The authors disclosed receipt of the following funding: The authors received funding from the Graduate Education Quality Engineering and Innovation Project of China University of Petroleum (Beijing) under the projects titled, ‘The exploration of university library intellectual property information services based on users’ needs’ (Grant no. YJS2019035) and ‘Research on the matching degree of patent strategy and the first-class disciplines in emerging first-class universities’ (Grant no. YJS2019022).

ORCID iD

Wei Yang

Notes

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