By Anna Borgholthaus
Barnes and Noble has decided to jump on the bandwagon of one of the most recent & innovative inventions in the print publishing world, and install Espresso Book Machines in three of its store locations.
Espresso Book Machines, created by On Demand Books, LLC, is a print-on-demand contraption that allows any customer to print their book of choice - cover, binding, pages, and all - in a matter of minutes. Not only does this allow customers easy access to books that are hard to find in print, but it also allows authors to self-publish in a way that has never been available previously.
The first Espresso Book Machine was installed in 2007 in the New York Public Library, and the machines have continued to be installed in various locations throughout the United States (see a list of locations here).
Barnes and Noble stated that they are installing the machines to "gauge consumer interest." Should the machines succeed, they could prove to be tough competition even for Amazon. Though they can provide 1-day shipping on a good variety of products, and even instant downloads of classic e-books, a turn-around time of minutes could prove hard to beat.
Sources:
Wikipedia
Publisher's Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
On Demand Books website
Barnes and Noble has decided to jump on the bandwagon of one of the most recent & innovative inventions in the print publishing world, and install Espresso Book Machines in three of its store locations.
Espresso Book Machines, created by On Demand Books, LLC, is a print-on-demand contraption that allows any customer to print their book of choice - cover, binding, pages, and all - in a matter of minutes. Not only does this allow customers easy access to books that are hard to find in print, but it also allows authors to self-publish in a way that has never been available previously.
The first Espresso Book Machine was installed in 2007 in the New York Public Library, and the machines have continued to be installed in various locations throughout the United States (see a list of locations here).
Barnes and Noble stated that they are installing the machines to "gauge consumer interest." Should the machines succeed, they could prove to be tough competition even for Amazon. Though they can provide 1-day shipping on a good variety of products, and even instant downloads of classic e-books, a turn-around time of minutes could prove hard to beat.
Sources:
Wikipedia
Publisher's Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
On Demand Books website