Kyle Pressley's job is to take dreams and turn them into books. He is the Michigan State University Library's Espresso Book Machine coordinator.
The EBM takes just two PDF files – one for the outside cover and the other for the internal pages - and turns them into a paperback book. The machine prints the material and then binds and trims the paper book down to the appropriate size. As coordinator, he is charged with coordinating all services with the machine and oversees its production and operation. His tasks range from performing demonstrations with the machine to processing files to ready them for print to formatting PDFs. He also oversees an intern that does much of the design work associated with the machine.
"The best part of this machine is the access that students, faculty and the community have to not have to go to a large publishing house," said Pressley. "It is such a unique service in that it allows us to offer just one copy at a cost effective price."
Pressley's favorite part of his job is the ability to help customers utilize this unique piece of technology.
"It may be cheesy, but when an author has their book printed and they open that first copy," said Pressley. "Seeing that keeps me going."
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