Darien Library to Become First East Coast Library to Install Espresso Book Machine

(PRESS RELEASE) Darien, CT and NEW YORK, NY — Darien Library and On Demand Books will be introducing an Espresso Book Machine® (EBM) at Darien Library’s Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 30. This revolution in book-publishing technology will be available to the Library’s patrons and community for the print-on-demand purchase of their choice of millions of public-domain and out-of-print volumes and a broad variety of self-published and publisher back-list volumes. The Darien Library will be the first public library on the East Coast to have an EBM on site.

On Demand Books has linked the EBM and its EspressNet® software system to a network of content, enabling the real-time printing of bookstore quality paperbacks with full-color covers in minutes. This technology is convenient and environmentally friendly, delivering books just as they are wanted, without shipping.

“Our patrons and this community are sophisticated, have an incredibly broad range of interests and enjoy the convenience of getting what they want, when they want it,” says Louise Berry, Library Director. “Many of them are going to find the Espresso Book Machine exactly what they need, whether it is finding an out-of-print, out-of-copyright book on a subject they study avidly, selecting unique books to give as gifts or suggesting a book for the Library’s collection. And we know that there are many writers in this region who will love its convenience for self-publishing. Best of all, we are absolutely certain our users will suggest initiatives that we and On Demand Books have not considered."

“Darien has one of the finest public libraries in the country,” says Dane Neller, CEO of On Demand Books. “So we’re very pleased that they’re breaking ground with our technology. They see the value of providing self-publishing services to their community as well as the benefit of making a huge array of books available. The library market is an exciting new arena for the Espresso Book Machine and we expect other public libraries to follow Darien’s example.”