It may appear to be a long way off from setting up shop next to more traditional vending machines,or the local bookstore but those in New York CIty can now get their instant-book from the library. The Espresso Book Machine, which was successfully demonstrated at BEA this month has now been ibstalled in the New York Public Library's Science, Industry and Business Library. It contains over 20 titles from the Open Content Alliance database, which visitors to the library can print off as books free of charge.
Do the readers care if its printed on demand? It certainly is hot off the press and importantly the titles are never out od stock.
The Espresso manufacturer On Demand Books appear to be attracting attention and potential takers for the machine, with the New Orleans Public Library, the University of Albe rta, the Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, Vermont, and the Open Content Alliance in San Francisco each already in line to get one this fall.
When will the price drop to that magic figure that wakes up bookstores to installing ing it.
I bet Starbooks are keeping an eye on its development.
