What is the Espresso Book Machine?

The EBM is a book-making machine that automatically prints, binds, and trims --on demand-- library-quality paperback books with 4-color covers indistinguishable from their factory made versions. The EBM will print, bind and trim a 300 page book in about 7 minutes - a little more than the amount of time it takes to get a cappuccino across the way at Bert's Cafe.

Why has UM Library bought one?

At the University of Michigan Library, we believe that high-quality, cost-effective print is an important part of the digital future. The Espresso Book Machine helps make it possible to connect our users with the information they need, when they need it and in the form they want it.

The University of Michigan Library has invested significantly, through its partnership with Google and through its own efforts, in the digitization of its print collection. With so much effort going into getting our print books into digital form, you might well ask why we're investing in a machine that gets digital books into print form.

Rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, we believe that the best book format varies in relationship to its uses and its users. Some of the time, an electronic book -- that can be accessed any time, anywhere, and quickly searched -- is exactly what we need. At other times, the ideal form of the book is a nicely bound copy that helps with sustained reading, that serves as a physical reminder of a reading experience, or that can easily be passed from hand to hand.

Is the Library selling books from the EBM now?

Currently, we have a small stock of popular items from our digital collections on sale, mostly for demonstration purposes. These are available for walk-up sales at the Shapiro Undergraduate Library, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on weekdays, and the book will be printed at the time of purchase. We will be expanding our selection and perhaps our hours throughout the coming year.

If you are interested in a digitized book from our collection that is not in the sample catalog, please use the online request form. If your request can be fulfilled, we can usually do so within 2-3 business days. If you have any trouble with the form, please email lib-ebm@umich.edu for assistance. We are also happy to talk with University of Michigan faculty about printing other kinds of materials. Please contact lib-ebm@umich.edu with questions and ideas.

Read our FAQ to learn more about the EBM and our future plans.

What is the Library planning to do with it?

There are many possible services that we can provide through the EBM. Initially, we'll be able to begin to provide affordable, high-quality reprints of out-of-copyright books from the Library's collection and from resources like the Internet Archive. Over time, we anticipate offering other services such as:

• Small runs of printed books produced by classes, such as anthologies of creative writing
• Printed copies of proceedings of University conferences and events
• Printing and binding course materials
• Self-publishing for Ann Arbor authors

How do I learn more?

Read our FAQ.

For more general information about the Espresso Book Machine, visit http://www.ondemandbooks.com.

Check back on this page for new developments and announcements about the University of Michigan Library's EBM.

If you have questions, please email lib-ebm@umich.edu. A Library staff member will get back to you shortly.