Will Libraries Have Espresso Book Machines?

2009 07 May

Want to see an Espresso Book Machine make a book? Watch this video. It is an ad, but worth watching to spark ideas about future libraries. Be sure to read this interview with Dane Neller, CEO of On Demand Books LLC.

Some things that I think will happen in libraries that adopt this technology:

Stacks will shrink, making room in libraries for more comfortable long-visit spaces.

Libraries will reduce their carbon footprints by eliminating having many books shipped

ILL shipping will be much reduced also, and customers won't have to wait for days to check out requested books

Then, if you think about libraries with a machine that makes books on demand combined with providing eBook readers (which most people will have on their smartphones anyway), and the good databases they already provide access to, we have libraries -- even small libraries --that can get much more material to the users faster while keeping an uncrowded, uncluttered, lovely and comfy community center-like building.

What do you think?