The University Bookstore showed off its new Espresso Book Machine at an open house on Wednesday. This machine instantly prints, binds and trims paperback books for just six cents a page. It is open to students, faculty and the community during bookstore hours.

The University Bookstore bought the machine in the summer and installed it in September. The staff has spent the last month and a half learning how to use the machine and work out any problems. MU Student and Auxiliary Services spokeswoman Michelle Froese says the machine cost about $75,000, and all of the money made goes back to the University.

The bookstore's aim is to reduce the cost of course material for students and faculty. MU Rural Sociology PhD Candidate Robin Hubbard has been working on her book for two years. It's step-by-step guide for students on how to write a research paper. Hubbard says a publisher would usually charge between $45 and $50 for a book like hers. But with the Espresso Book Machine, Hubbard published her book for only $11.

"I wanted something cheap and inexpensive so I created this book as a part of my research project," Hubbard said. "This is a way for myself as an instructor to provide knowledge but do it for next to nothing."

The machine allows her to inexpensively update her book each semester. Her book will likely be sold on consignment at the University Bookstore for about $15 keeping the price low by eliminating the publishing house markup.

The Espresso Book Machine also let's community members like 86-year-old Fred Oerly publish a book. Orley's book, "Some Mighty Good Years," is a collection of letters he wrote to his daughter about growing up in Overton, Mo. Orely's daughter complied the letters, and it cost $7.20 to publish his book with the Espresso Book Machine.

"It gives a lot of people a chance to write a book that they couldn't have two or three years ago, you couldn't have afforded this," Oerly said. "I never even thought I could write a book."

The Bookstore also created a University Classics line, providing inexpensive copies of public domain books like "Frankenstein" and "The War of the Worlds." Mizzou Media Coordinator Heather Tearney says they want to have MU faculty members write introductions and commentaries for this special line of books.

"It opens up the door to creativity and what people can do," Tearney said. "It's limitless what can be done."

Missouri S&T alumnus Jeff Marsh created the machine, which is manufactured in Lebanon, Mo. On Demand Books is the provider of the Espresso Book Machine.

The Espresso Book Machine is on the lower level of the University Bookstore. MU is one of four college bookstores in the nation to have one of these machine.