The Espresso Book Machine: A change agent for libraries

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the disruptive implications of the Espresso Book Machine on library user services, collection development, and special collections. Design/methodology/approach: The approach takes into account various published articles and online statements to help articulate and support the arguments. Findings: Library users can derive immediate benefit from a machine that prints books for them in only a few minutes. The EBM's impact on collection development in libraries may change a decades-old model of speculative buying to one of buying on demand. The EBM can also help libraries bring high-quality facsimiles of their unique special collections books to the public, and perhaps even generate a revenue stream that might offset costs. Originality/value: This is an original article that draws on other published and unpublished research and opinion articles.