WisTIP provides technology info

Wisconsin’s small technology businesses now have access to one of North America’s largest research library collections through a partnership program among UW–Madison Libraries, the UW-Extension’s Small Business Development Center, the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The Wisconsin Technical Information Partnership, or WisTIP, is designed specifically for entrepreneurs and technology companies, and offers them access to information regarding science, business, medicine, law, and engineering. WisTIP also offers grants up to $500 to cover costs associated with using the service.

Through WisTIP, clients may use Wisconsin TechSearch, a service of Wendt Library in the UW–Madison College of Engineering. TechSearch draws information from hundreds of scientific literature databases and from science and technology resources in the UW–Madison Libraries and worldwide.

Kenneth Frazier, director of the UW–Madison Libraries, says the partnership is a useful way to share ideas and technology information across the state as well as bolster economic growth.

“This is a perfect example of the Wisconsin Idea,” says Frazier. WisTIP services include searches of the current science and technology literature, preliminary patent and trademark searches, and retrieval and delivery of journal articles, reports, and patents.

WisTIP’s literature services require a fee, usually about $125. Most copies of articles range from $12 to $40, including a copyright fee if any is owed. Grants up to $500 are available to help cover such costs.

Mark Bugher, director of University Research Park, finds the program a helpful tool for local businesses. “Access to our library collections is extraordinarily important for our entrepreneurs and start-up companies in University Research Park,” Bugher says.

In addition, Tod Linstroth, chairman of the Wisconsin Technology Council and senior partner, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, says WisTIP is a great example of collaboration among various groups and is an indication of how we assist entrepreneurs in growing their businesses.