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# This Library Lets You Print Your Own Books
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/this-library-lets-you-print-your-own-books/
- Published: 2014-06-11T00:59:29.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T16:48:19.000Z
- Description: While most people go to libraries to check out books, one Toronto library is offering visitors an opportunity to print out their own.
- Author: Hrag Vartanian
- Tags: In Brief, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 07:03 (2014, 2015, part 1)

![The Toronto Reference Libraries new digital "print shop" (image via )](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2014/06/6a00e55-640.jpg)

The Toronto Reference Libraries new digital “print shop” (image via )

While most people go to libraries to check out books, one Toronto library is offering visitors an opportunity to print out their own. The Toronto Reference Library is the flagship branch of Canada’s largest public library system and yesterday they [unveiled the Asquith Press](http://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/news%5Freleases/2014/06/print-your-novel-cookbook-family-history-and-more-at-the-library.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) at its Digital Innovation Hub.

![Interior of the Toronto Reference Library, designed by Raymond Moriyama, and opened in 1977. (photo via flickr.com/cityoftoronto)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2014/06/9841267655_be81128727_z3202.jpg)

Interior of the Toronto Reference Library, designed by Raymond Moriyama, and opened in 1977\. (photo via flickr.com/cityoftoronto)

The new machine, which cost the library Cdn$68,000 (\~$62,400) allows patrons to print 10 paperback copies of a 150-page book (matte or glossy full-color cover with black and white pages with illustrations inside) for [Cdn$145 ](http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/using-the-library/computer-services/book-printing-service/printing-fees-options/?ref=hyperallergic.com)(\~$133).

Librarians hope visitors will use the machine to print their own cookbooks, memoirs, or to self-publish novels, but they also have the option to print books from the library’s extensive [digital archive](http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/digital-archive/?ref=hyperallergic.com) or [database](http://www.ondemandbooks.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com) of more than three million book titles.

The library is also maintaining a Pinterest board with many of the titles they have already printed, and judging these books by their cover the range is rather diverse.

![Two of the first books published at the Toronto Reference Library's new Asquith Press. (image via www.pinterest.com/torontolibrary/asquith-press)](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2014/06/d69b294b87-640.jpg)

Two of the first books published at the Toronto Reference Library’s new Asquith Press. (image via www.pinterest.com/torontolibrary/asquith-press)

The Toronto library isn’t the only library offering this service. Last year, the DC Public Library introduced [On Demand Books](http://ondemandbooks.com/docs/ODB-DCPL%20press%20release%2008.05.13%20%281%29.pdf?ref=hyperallergic.com) for a similar cost, while libraries in Tokyo, Abu Dhabi, Alexandria, and elsewhere also [offer similar services](http://www.ondemandbooks.com/ebm%5Flocations.php?ref=hyperallergic.com).