Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Jason Epstein, the former editorial director at Random House,
promulgated POD delivery in
The Book Business
(2001). Epstein's vision
is now becoming a reality as the Espresso Book Machine (EBM) is being
introduced into bookshops in a number of countries. The major British
bookseller chain of Blackwell introduced its first EBM into one of its
London stores in April 2009. The University of Michigan Library has
installed an EBM, which can produce a paperback book on demand in
about five minutes at roughly $10 per book. These are usually reprints
of public domain titles from the library's digitized collection of nearly
two million books, as well as books available from the Open Content
Alliance.
Cox (2008) aptly notes that with the POD, the 'future of the printed
monograph has arrived'. Cox outlines the benefits of the EBM,
particularly in the delivery of text across distances, citing the
collaboration between OECD Publishing and DA Information Services
in Melbourne. Cox sees not only speed of delivery, but also a
contribution to global greening. The OECD (Organisation for
Economic Cooperation and Development) believes that such a process
to Australia will save over 12 lbs or 5.8 kg in carbon emissions per book
sold. Surface mail to Australia currently takes three months from
Europe, whereas a text can be delivered on site in three minutes. The
issues for libraries and their technical processing are also relevant here
in terms of future ordering, receipt and distribution patterns. Once the
price of EBMs reduces, there is no doubt there will be a much more
rapid take-up in bookshops and libraries.
Willes, in
Reading Matters
(2008), reminds us, however, that nothing
really changes in conceptual terms of production, only the technology.
In her book she features a photograph of the famous British publisher
Allen Lane with his 1930s 'Penguincubator', a slot machine which
dispensed Penguin paperbacks at sixpence a time directly to the reader.
This was undoubtedly a precursor to the public EBM.
Who owns information in the digital era?
In historical terms, whoever dominated the trade routes dominated the
world, as exemplified by the Dutch, French and British empires. The
control of natural resources, such as oil and gas, has been another major
factor in power structures to the present day. Who now controls and
