Google’s Digital Library revived in paperback

Google announced Thursday that they will be giving two million books in their digital library a chance to return to paperback form via the Espresso Book Machine. 

Depending on the victory of this class-action settlement, the Internet Search leaders acknowledge and hope to give readers the opportunity to read the books they love in hand rather than on a screen.

The Espresso Book Machine, created by On Demand Books, is an “automated book-making machine” that can print and bind up to 800 pages becoming store-quality paperbacks within minutes (about the time it takes to pour espresso.) 

On Demand Books refers to their creation as “The ATM for books.” It can print and bind 800 pages with perfect bound paperback covers, either in full-color or in black and white in less than five minutes.

They are cut to a certain size to retain that handy on-the-go paperback appeal.

Time Out magazine named Espresso Book Machine “Invention of the Year” in 2007 and has been in use by the industry for the past several years—mostly in campus libraries and bookstores, but were very limited to what could be printed.

However, On Demand Books will now have access to Google’s digital library of millions of titles, giving readers the opportunity to print out their favorite classics and rare finds for around eight dollars a pop.

Though some might think it’s strange to be moving backwards in a growing technological age, Google product manager Brandon Badger thinks otherwise.

He says, “Reading digital books can be an enjoyable experience, but we realize that there are times when readers want a physical copy of the book.”

On Demand Books co-founder and chairman Jason Epstein adds, ”with the Google inventory, the Espresso Book Machine will make it possible for readers everywhere to have access to millions of digital titles in multiple languages, including rare and out-of-print public domain titles.” (Public domain, meaning titles that were dated before 1923 are out-of-copyright.)

Dane Neller, equal co-founder and chief executive of On Demand Books states his excitement for the variety within Google’s digital library:  “The beauty of this is that it goes from the classics to the obscure and in between.”

The cost of production to make a copy by the Espresso Book Machine comes to about a penny per page or less.  

Neller explains, “A dollar goes to us, a dollar goes to Google for providing the digital copy” and further describes that for every purchase Google will donate one dollar to nonprofit organizations and public charities.

If they succeed in this project, the Espresso Book Machine or On Demand Books will have access to even more millions of titles to produce; giving readers more opportunity to read more than just public domain books.

When asked how they feel about this unique book project, reactions were the similar to those at Google. 

“From a business perspective it might not make sense considering everything is turning digital, but I can understand with the On Demand book-maker.  That way they are not losing money as it prints when in need. 

It’s also feeding to a market that still exists” said sophomore, Julia Chang. 
“I can’t handle reading books on Kindle or by e-books.  I like to have it in my hands ready to write up, underline and highlight physically.

I think it’s a brilliant idea for those who actually like to read” said Katarina Wirth from SUNY Geneseo in Geneseo, NY.

On October 7, a hearing for the settlement of this project will take place.  Meanwhile, anti-trust lawyers, publishers, authors and the Internet Search Moguls are further examining the technicalities of the controversial project. 

Interestingly enough, competing companies such as Microsoft and Amazon filed objections to the settlement agreement.

This can either be a testimony to the reversal of the technological age or just proof that we still need to have a tangible read every now and then.

The Espresso Machine is a blessing to those who don’t want to spend hours on the computer,  straining their eyes that are  glued to the screen, but in fact want to spend hours curled up alone physically turning pages.