Business Details
41 Years
experience
Foreign Language Books Supplier for Libraries
Established in 1985, Books Asia has grown to become the UK's largest supplier of foreign-language books to public libraries worldwide. Our expertise spans over four decades, serving diverse communities with titles in 32 languages, including Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Urdu, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Hungarian, Polish, Turkish, and Ukrainian. We are committed to advancing library technology, evidenced by our BIC e4libraries accreditation and the 2025 BIC Technology Excellence in Libraries Award. Our team collaborates with leading publishers across 17 countries to source high-quality titles, offering tailored procurement solutions such as Supplier Select, EDI services, and custom Marc records.We prioritise cost-efficiency, providing discounts of 15 - 40% and innovative services like shelf-ready processing, budget management, and transliterated booklists. Our dedication to ethical business practices and customer-centric solutions ensures libraries receive comprehensive support, from profile management to delivery scheduling, while maintaining compliance with evolving standards like RDA cataloguing.
Services
Supplier Select
EDI Services
Marc Records
Shelf-Ready Servicing
Book Finder
Profile Management
Budget Management
Delivery Scheduling
Check-Out Reviews
Refurb Library Stock
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We have over 40 years of experience in foreign-language library supply.
- Our BIC e4libraries accreditation ensures cutting-edge EDI solutions.
- We offer tailored Marc records compatible with all major LMS systems.
- Our team includes language specialists fluent in 17+ languages.
- We provide free transliterated booklists and shelf-ready servicing.
Associations and certifications
- BIC
Services
Supplier Select
Our experts curate collections based on your library's demographics and budget. We analyse readership data and community needs to select relevant titles quarterly. This cost-effective solution covers 80% of our clients, ensuring culturally appropriate collections while reducing staff workload.
EDI Services
Streamline procurement with our BIC-accredited EDI system. We support all major LMS platforms and message types, reducing processing costs from 5.46 to 0.62 per book. Implementation takes 1014 days with our step-by-step technical support and GLN integration.
Marc Records
Receive comprehensive, book-in-hand Marc records in UKMarc, Marc21, or USMarc formats. Our custom tags integrate seamlessly with library systems, saving cataloguing time. Free updates ensure compliance with RDA standards and legacy system requirements.
Shelf-Ready Servicing
Books arrive library-ready with custom labels, RFID tagging, and dust jackets. Our NAG-compliant processing includes structural reinforcement for Indic books, reducing handling time by 70% and ensuring long-term durability for high-circulation items.
Book Finder Service
We locate rare, out-of-print, and specialist titles globally. Our network of publishers and distributors ensures availability of hard-to-find materials, supporting unique collection needs and community requests within tight deadlines.
People
Mahmudul Haq
Founding Director
Former geography professor with 20 years' teaching experience, founded Books Asia in 1985. Specialises in Bengali literature and advocates for ethical business practices in library supply.
Shomi Haq
Director
Former HSBC analyst and KPMG consultant developed Books Asia's EDI system. Prince2 practitioner with 14 years' technical leadership, restructuring the company as Books Asia Ltd in 2014.
Fozia Begum
Library Services Manager
Fluent in five languages, including Urdu and Cantonese. Manages cataloguing and order teams with 13 years' experience. Specialises in community language collections and operational coordination.
Questions
What languages do you supply?
We offer 32 languages including Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Urdu, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Hungarian, Polish, Turkish, and Ukrainian.
How does your EDI system benefit libraries?
Our BIC-accredited EDI reduces processing costs by 85% (from £5.46 to £0.62 per book) and integrates with all major LMS platforms including Axiell and Talis.
Do you provide cataloguing services?
Yes, we supply free custom Marc records in UKMarc, Marc21, and USMarc formats with 30+ tags, compliant with RDA standards and legacy systems.
Can you help with urgent stock requirements?
Yes, we specialise in rapid procurement for new library builds or refurbishments, delivering quality stock within tight deadlines using our global publisher network.
How are discounts calculated?
Discounts of 15–40% depend on annual spend and language requirements, with higher volumes receiving greater discounts across all language categories.
What shelf-ready services do you offer?
We provide labeling, RFID tagging, dust jackets, and structural reinforcement, reducing library processing time by 70% with NAG-compliant standards.
