Urm... the bookstore where I used to work actually has a POD machine. You can bring in your own work in .pdf format (or I think a few others) or a public domain book and they will print it out and perfect bind it for you.
So this will definitely happen as you describe eventually, I think.
I should note that the tail isn't as long as we'd like in many public libraries - the management trend at many locations is to imitate big box bookstores - any book more than 10 years old is suspect, and any book that hasn't circulated in 1-2 years is a candidate for removal. Your library's mileage may vary depending on location, size, management philosophy, history, etc.
no subject
Date: 11 Jan 2009 02:40 am (UTC)Full color covers work.
http://www.northshire.com/printondemand.php
So this will definitely happen as you describe eventually, I think.
I should note that the tail isn't as long as we'd like in many public libraries - the management trend at many locations is to imitate big box bookstores - any book more than 10 years old is suspect, and any book that hasn't circulated in 1-2 years is a candidate for removal. Your library's mileage may vary depending on location, size, management philosophy, history, etc.