The continuous digitization of patent information sources and the emergence of new global leaders in metallurgical science and production necessitate the correction of traditional approaches to international patent search, which is carried out by specialists of the department of special types of technical literature of branch libraries for authors-inventors. The study provides specialists with an exhaustive register of electronic patent databases, practical recommendations for optimizing patent searches and indicates promising areas for replenishing library collections. Keywords: international patent search; metallurgy; electronic patent databases