Introduction
On-demand
book printing allows users to print books onsite in a short time frame. For example, the Espresso Book Machine (EBM)
website touts that the machine can print a book in minutes (The EBM Technology,
2013, para. 1). Users can print their
own scanned content or choose content from an online catalog. For example, the EBM has a digital catalog
that contains over seven million in-copyright and public-domain titles (The EBM
Technology, 2013, para. 1). This opens
users, specifically libraries, to the ability to replace lost or damaged items,
special collections reproduction, a more expedient interlibrary loan service,
self-publishing, and custom printing. Furthermore,
libraries can now have access to content worldwide. EBM’s digital catalog allows machines to
connect to each other, creating a vast network across the globe (The EBM Software,
2013, para. 1). On-demand printing is at
the forefront of innovation and libraries are on the edge with it.
Literature Review
Recent literature shows that
libraries are experimenting with the innovation of on-demand printing and
sharing their experiences with the community. Each has their own take on the technology. Most of the literature in the last three years
focuses on one machine: the Espresso Book Machine (EBM). Libraries were among the first to explore use
of the machine, though each for widely different reasons. In the first article, one academic library started
looking at the EBM for use with their special collections.
Arlitsch’s (2010) article titled
“The Espresso Book Machine: a change agent for libraries” featured in Library Hi Tech gives an overview of the
technology and focuses on the digitization program at the University of Utah
Library. He notes that, when paired with
speedy scanning technology, the EBM can be used to print digital copies of
special collections material (p. 62). In
this case, the addition of the EBM was a natural result of their digitization
program and it quickly opened up capabilities beyond just special collections. The library can use it to quickly print books
that are checked out or at another location, alter its collection development
model to be more cost effective, provide print services for local authors, or
become the primary source for printing student theses and dissertations (pp.
66-67). The article concludes with the
benefits of using the machine, despite altering the way libraries traditionally
serve patrons.
Another academic library feels that
adding the EBM is not altering service, but is in line with their existing
mission. Geitgey’s (2010) article titled
“The University of Michigan Espresso Book Machine experience” featured in Library Hi Tech discusses the much
different focus of the library in their approach to using the EBM. The University of Michigan Library purchased
the EBM for much of the same reason as stated in the previous article as an
addition to the preservation of their special collections (p. 52). However, they quickly adapted the technology
to assist with their existing print-on-demand program (p.55). This gives the article a strong focus from the
standpoint of bookseller versus book loaner, contrasting the previous
viewpoint.
In the next article, public
libraries take the standpoint of providing new services to the community where
access had been limited. Rapp’s (2011) column titled “Print-on-Demand Meets
Public Libraries” from Library Journal
discusses recent use of the EBM in public libraries. He focuses on self-publishing, calling it a
way to reach out to the communities (p. 22).
This mission, while similar to that of academic libraries, has its
differences. One library has a package
that includes a Library of Congress number, a barcode, and an ISBN, giving
patrons the ability to publish their own stories (p. 22). Focusing on creating stories rather than
reproducing existing literature makes the use in public libraries a hands-on service
to the public.
Koerber’s (2012) column titled
“Espress Yourself” from the Library
Journal discusses the hands-on approach of on-demand printing and the Maker
culture in public libraries. She notes
that the ability to personalize and democratize the book publishing process is
in itself a Maker quality despite the tools being proprietary (p. 25). For public librarians, using the EBM is a
return to “the library as the heart of the community and the center of its
creative forces” (p. 25). The article
concludes that the Maker culture is making its way into public libraries and
the EBM is a prime example of that process.
While the articles focus on library
applications, websites about EBM take a much broader picture. The website for the Espresso Book Machine has
everything you need to know about the machine, its features, machine locations,
purchasing information, publisher program, and news (Home, 2013, menu). The item that gives insight to the focus of
the company is the News page. The News
(2013) page has articles on new places that have an EBM machine, new publishers
that have content available in their catalog, and new services for users (para.
1). Clearly, the company’s emphasis is
on expanding services and locations.
While not a direct library application, the expanded services affect
what libraries can and cannot provide to their patrons.
Another website that focuses on the
expansion of the EBM is Lightning Source, but it has a different approach. Lightning Source (2014) provides print and
electronic content distribution solutions worldwide (Home, para. 1). The addition of the EBM to their product
solutions enhances to that mission. The
website advertises the machine as a distribution channel where content can be
printed at the point of sale in minutes, including regional localized markets (EBM,
2014, para. 1-3). This global reach has
an impact on the depth of content that libraries can provide with the EBM.
Use/Application in Libraries
The literature reviewed displays a
depth of services and content provided through the EBM. The possibilities are endless for
libraries. They can replace lost or
damaged items, reproduce fragile special collections, reduce expensive
collection management purchases, provide self-publishing options, custom reprographic
services for users, sell books for classes and workshops, and provide content
from regional locations that otherwise would be difficult to obtain. Libraries are only starting to experiment
with this technology. As time passes and
the EBM becomes easier to purchase, more applications with be explored in a
library setting.
Challenges
While innovative in its application,
the EBM and on-demand printing does have some challenges. Cost is the primary challenge for most
libraries. Arlitsch (2010) notes the
machine costs anywhere from $85,000 to $100,000 and, depending on the speed and
color options, another $4,000 to $25,000 for the printer (p. 63). This does not include ongoing
maintenance. In fact, the price tag is
so high that public libraries are using grants to purchase or lease the
EBM. Rapp (2011) mentions that the
Sacramento Public Library was able to purchase their $151,000 machine through a
Library Services and Technology Act grant from the California State Library (p.
22). On Demand, the company that owns
the EBM, also offers a lower cost option using a concession agreement (p. 22). More solutions for purchasing the EBM are
allowing this service to expand to more libraries.
Another challenge comes as a result
of using the EBM. Copyright issues are
prevalent with digital and on-demand content. Chamberlain (2012) discussed how material is
limited to public domain content due to recent court decisions (p.59). Copyright must be determined before any
document can be scanned and printed.
This is a lengthy process that may deter libraries from obtaining print
on-demand technology. According to
Geitgey (2010), the University of Michigan Library created a process just for
determining copyright where based on the publication date, the printing request
either is fulfilled, denied based on copyright, or delayed pending copyright
determination (p. 55). By adding more
publishers to its catalog, EBM will assist libraries in diversifying the
material available by on-demand printing as well as prompt more libraries to
buy the technology.
Conclusion
There is significant evidence to
support libraries implementing print on-demand technology. Research for use in academic libraries is
more substantial than that of public libraries, as seen in the lack of
scholarly articles. Investing in the EBM
as an academic library has many advantages that are well documented, such as
reproducing special collections and providing custom books for faculty and
students. Furthermore, academic
libraries may be in a better place to afford to buy or lease the EBM as well as
have users that are more likely to buy into the new service. This would allow academic libraries to
continue to justify the cost long after the original purchase.
Public libraries are in place to
justify the purchase if they are creative with funding. Grants are a wonderful resource and there is
precedent for it. Also, public libraries
need to evaluate if they have the right environment for it. As seen in Koerber’s (2012) column, the EBM
was well received in the public libraries featured. This was because of the positive response to
self-publishing, not the original reasoning that the EBM would assist with library
functions (p. 24). Clearly, there is a
call for on-demand printing in public libraries, depending on the
community. Surveying the community may
be a good way to determine if the EBM is suited for a particular library and
its mission.
By the nature of their mission, libraries are
on the forefront of innovation to provide patrons with better service. On-demand printing is an exciting example of
cutting edge technology meeting the needs of the public. Libraries supply knowledge and tools for
learning that may not otherwise be available to everyone. On-demand book printing removes the creative
forces from the publisher and disburses it to the masses, supporting the
library mission to provide knowledge to all.
References
Arlitsch,
K. (2011). The Espresso Book Machine: a change agent for libraries. Library
Hi Tech, 29(1), 62-72.
Chamberlain,
E. (2012). Investigating faster techniques for digitization and print-on-demand.
New Review of Academic Librarianship, 18(1), 57-71.
Espresso
Book Machine by On Demand Books. (2013). Home
Page. Retrieved from http://ondemandbooks.com/
Espresso
Book Machine by On Demand Books. (2013). News
Page. Retrieved from http://ondemandbooks.com/news.php
Espresso
Book Machine by On Demand Books. (2013). The
EBM Software Page. Retrieved from http://ondemandbooks.com/ebm_software.php
Espresso
Book Machine by On Demand Books. (2013). The
EBM Technology Page. Retrieved from http://ondemandbooks.com/ebm_overview.php
Geitgey,
T. (2011). The University of Michigan Library Espresso Book Machine experience.
Library Hi Tech, 29(1), 51.
Koerber,
J. (2012). Espress yourself. Library Journal, 137(16), 23-26.
Lightning
Source. (2014). EBM Page. Retrieved
from http://www1.lightningsource.com/ebm.aspx
Lightning
Source. (2014). Home Page. Retrieved
from https://www1.lightningsource.com/default.aspx
Rapp,
D. (2011). Print-on-demand meets public libraries. Library Journal, 136(20),
22.
