News

The New York Public Library is the first customer for an on-demand book production machine that promises to revolutionise reading and publishing.

The Espresso Book Machine, from equipment manufacturer On Demand Books, has been installed in the library's Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL).

On Demand founders Jason Epstein and Dane Neller said Espresso software sends a digital file to the machine, which then automatically prints, binds and trims the book within minutes.

Epstein added: "Printed books are one of history's greatest and most enduring inventions, and, after centuries, their form needs no improvement.

"What does need to change is the outdated way that books reach readers."

The Espresso, whose small footprint means it fits readily in shops and libraries, could help boost profits from books by making titles accessible around the globe without the high transport and storage costs.

In the case of this first installation, users will be able to have out-of-copyright works from the Open Content Alliance's collection of some 200,000 titles printed free of charge. Certain in-copyright titles will also be available for free.

More Espresso machines are scheduled for installation at New Orleans Public Library, the campus bookstore at University of Alberta in Canada, the Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, Vermont, and at the Open Content Alliance in San Francisco. 

Pilots are also being run at the World Bank Infoshop in Washington and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt.