Askews and Holts Library Services
Askews and Holts Library Services is a UK library supply specialist providing books, multimedia and shelf-ready processing to public, school and specialist libraries across the UK and overseas via an integrated web platform with EDI integration to Library Management Systems, operated as part of The Little Group alongside wholesaler Gardners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersPreston, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Askews and Holts Library Services does
Askews and Holts Library Services Ltd is a UK library supply specialist that procures and distributes physical books, DVDs, Blu-ray titles, music CDs and eBooks to public, school and specialist libraries across the UK and overseas. The company was formed on 1 March 2011 through the merger of two historic UK book suppliers, James Askew & Son Ltd (founded 1872) and The Holt Jackson Book Co Ltd (founded 1932), both previously held by The Little Group, which also owns Gardners, the UK's leading Book and AV wholesaler. The entity is a privately held UK limited company (Companies House number 2745298), operating from a Preston, Lancashire headquarters with a registered office in Eastbourne, and employs 101-250 people.
The core operating platform is the Askews library supply website, an in-house developed catalogue and ordering system that integrates with all major UK Library Management Systems via full EDI, ingests UKMARC and MARC21 bibliographic records from BDS and West 10, and exposes a layered set of selection modules: the unique customer-led Cascade selection tool, Standing Orders for fiction authors and bestseller/prize shortlists, a free Back Stock Wizard, and the Fully Managed Supplier Selection service delivered by in-house qualified librarians. The platform supports shelf-ready processing, reader development resources co-produced with publishers and partners such as The Reading Agency and Publishing Scotland, and eBook distribution via the VLeBooks platform. Self-published and independent titles can be onboarded through partner metadata providers (BDS, Nielsen Book Data, Gardners).
The business model combines transactional product sales (books and multimedia supplied on a firm-sale basis with standard publisher-tiered discounts) with managed services revenue from fully managed supplier selection and shelf-ready processing. Go-to-market is sales-led and inside-sales-driven through a UK-based Customer Care team handling bespoke discount negotiations and account support, complemented by a direct-to-library e-commerce channel via the website (24/7 ordering with self-registration). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with standard 30-day payment terms, pro forma payment for non-credit-account customers, and bespoke terms for overseas customers. The company is BIC Technology Excellence in Libraries Award-accredited at GOLD level for 2024-2025 and ISO 9001 certified, and operates a documented sustainability and modern slavery compliance programme.
Askews and Holts Library Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Askews and Holts Library Services
- Legal name
- Askews and Holts Library Services Ltd
- Website
- https://askewsandholts.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Askews and Holts Library Services is a UK library supply specialist providing books, multimedia and shelf-ready processing to public, school and specialist libraries across the UK and overseas via an integrated web platform with EDI integration to Library Management Systems, operated as part of The Little Group alongside wholesaler Gardners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Askews and Holts Library Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Library Supply Services
- NAICS
- Book Publishers (513130), Book Publishers (51313), Book, Periodical, and Newspaper Merchant Wholesalers (424920)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Retail-Catalog & Mail-Order Houses (5961), Book Printing (2732)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Library & Institutional Supplies Distribution (CRAOALAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Book Trade Wholesale (Print Books) (CRAOALAA), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE)
Keywords
Where Askews and Holts Library Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Preston
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Askews and Holts Library Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Book and multimedia product sales: Core revenue stream from sale of Adult and Children's books, DVDs, Blu-ray titles and music CDs supplied to public, school and specialist libraries in the UK and overseas. Goods supplied on firm sale basis with returns only for damaged, faulty or wrongly supplied items within 3 months or three loans.
- Fully Managed Supplier Selection services: Recurring/managed service revenue from qualified-librarian-led budget and specification management of stock selection for libraries throughout the year, plus ad-hoc bespoke selections.
- Shelf-ready processing and value-added services: Professional services revenue from shelf-ready processing, MARC record supply (UKMARC/MARC21 from BDS and BDS/West 10 for AV), reader development resources, and supplier selection tooling (Cascade, Standing Orders, Back Stock).
- eBook distribution via VLeBooks platform: Revenue from eBook supply to libraries via the VLeBooks platform (referenced through the VLeBooks accessibility statement).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based / not publicly disclosed |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Askews and Holts Library Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Askews and Holts Library Services supplies Adult and Children's books, DVDs, Blu-ray titles, music CDs and eBooks to public, school and specialist libraries across the UK and overseas via its own web-based catalogue and ordering platform. The offering combines firm-sale book and multimedia supply with Fully Managed Supplier Selection by in-house qualified librarians, the proprietary Cascade online selection tool, Standing Orders, Back Stock Wizard, shelf-ready processing and full EDI integration to Library Management Systems supported by UKMARC and MARC21 bibliographic records.
Product overview
Askews and Holts Library Services operates a single integrated library supply platform built around the Askews Library Supply Website, which acts as the central catalogue and ordering hub for public, school and specialist libraries across the UK and overseas. Layered on top of this core platform are a set of selection and processing modules: Fully Managed Supplier Selection, the Cascade selection tool, Standing Orders, the Back Stock Wizard, Multimedia Supply, Shelf-Ready Processing, and Reader Development resources, with eBooks and the VLeBooks partner platform extending the offering into digital lending. The platform integrates with Library Management Systems via full EDI, ingests bibliographic content from BDS and West 10 in UKMARC/MARC21 formats, and accepts metadata from independent and self-publishers via BDS, Nielsen Book Data and Gardners.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- VLeBooks: Digital/eBook platform referenced on the Askews accessibility page, indicating a separately branded eBook service operated alongside the core library supply business.
Products and services
- Askews Library Supply Website Web-based catalogue and ordering platform for pre-publication, new and backstock Adult and Children's books and multimedia products, with full EDI integration to Library Management Systems, multi-faceted search and filtering, UKMARC and MARC21 bibliographic records, themed booklists, reader development resources, professional book reviews, order tracking and management information; for public, school and specialist libraries in the UK and overseas.
- Fully Managed Supplier Selection Managed acquisition service delivered by Askews's team of qualified librarians and book industry experts, who build a stock specification and manage the library's acquisition budget year-round across all Adult and Children's categories, with ad-hoc bespoke selections available on request.
- Cascade Selection Tool Unique customer-led online selection tool that lets libraries define stock and budget requirements at branch level, with automated monthly selection runs that can be adapted as required.
- Standing Orders Automated ordering service covering fiction authors, Mills & Boon, reference titles, Adult and Children's bestseller charts and prize shortlists.
- Back Stock Wizard Free online wizard that generates lists of available titles for Adult or Children's stock gaps or revisions based on user-defined criteria, with branch allocation within the tool or from selected results.
- Multimedia Supply Service Supply of DVDs, Blu-ray and music CDs through the Askews website with comprehensive listings, selection and ordering tools, full EDI integration, MARC records from BDS and West 10, shelf-ready processing and Supplier Selection availability.
- Reader Development Service Reader development resource produced with hundreds of Adult and Children's publishers and partners including The Reading Agency and Publishing Scotland, delivering topical and themed booklists, quarterly newsletters, reviews and downloadable publisher activities.
- Shelf-Ready Processing Pre-processing service that delivers books and multimedia shelf-ready, reducing in-library handling requirements and offered alongside book and multimedia supply.
- eBooks Supply Digital book supply service for libraries, delivered through the VLeBooks platform alongside bibliographic content, multimedia material, promotional support and web technology.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 98.5% of packaging materials used are recyclable
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Askews and Holts Library Services
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Askews and Holts Library Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability2 records
Feature7 records
Askews and Holts Library Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered key partner, core and flagship.
- The Reading Agencykey partnerListed as a key partner working closely with Askews to create topical and themed booklists, quarterly newsletters and reviews for Reader Development. Engages across Adult and Children's reading programmes.
- Publishing Scotlandkey partnerListed as a key partner working closely with Askews on reader development, themed booklists, quarterly newsletters and reviews.
- BDS (Bibliographic Data Services)coreProvides UKMARC and MARC21 bibliographic content for the Askews website, and MARC records for DVDs/Blu-ray/CDs alongside West 10. BDS is also the recommended upload channel for self-published titles to reach Askews' customer base.
- Gardners BookscoreSister company within The Little Group (UK's leading Book and AV wholesaler) and recommended channel for self-publishers to upload titles onto the Askews catalogue.
- The Little GroupflagshipParent group of Askews and Holts Library Services Ltd; also owns Gardners (UK's leading Book and AV wholesaler). The two founding companies (James Askew & Son and Holt Jackson) merged within The Little Group on 1 March 2011 to form Askews.
- VLeBookscoreeBook platform for libraries, referenced via the VLeBooks accessibility statement linked from Askews' Accessibility page; provides digital lending/distribution capability that complements physical supply.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Askews and Holts Library Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Ingram Content Group: Global book wholesaler and library services provider with print, digital and audio distribution for public and academic libraries; a much larger incumbent in adjacent library supply with overlapping physical and digital capability.
- Baker & Taylor: Global library content supplier serving public, academic and school libraries across multiple geographies with physical and digital distribution; a larger incumbent operating broadly in the same space as Askews and Holts, including the former Coutts UK business.
Others
- Bibliographic Data Services (BDS): UK provider of MARC bibliographic records (UKMARC and MARC21) feeding the Askews website and other library catalogues; an enabling supplier/partner rather than a direct competitor, but adjacent to the library supply ecosystem.
Regional players
- Permesso: Nordic library supplier offering book and AV supply, shelf-ready processing and selection services to public and school libraries; comparable operating model to Askews but serving Sweden and the Nordics rather than the UK.
- Wheelers Books: Australian library book supplier serving school and public libraries with selection tools and EDI ordering; comparable business model and customer base to Askews but operating in the Australia/New Zealand region.
Direct peers
- OverDrive: Digital library content platform (eBooks, audiobooks, streaming) used by public libraries worldwide; directly comparable to the eBook/VLeBooks layer of Askews' offering and a key competitor in digital library supply.
- Coutts Information Services (Baker & Taylor): Historical UK library supplier now part of Baker & Taylor, offering standing orders, selection and book supply to public and academic libraries; directly comparable to Askews in product mix and customer type.
- Dawson Books: UK-based library and academic book supplier serving public, school and university libraries with selection, EDI integration and managed services; directly comparable to Askews and Holts in customer base and supply model.
- Bertrams Library Services: UK library book wholesaler and supplier with comparable public-library focus, EDI capability and shelf-ready services; operates in the same specialist niche as Askews and Holts, although it has undergone significant restructuring in recent years.
Emerging players
- Bibliotheca (Axiell): Library technology and content provider (RFID, self-service, digital lending) operating alongside book supply for public libraries; an adjacent player whose offerings overlap with Askews' selection tooling and EDI integration capabilities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Askews and Holts Library Services social profiles
Digital presenceAskews and Holts Library Services compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Askews and Holts Library Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Askews and Holts Library Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Askews and Holts Library Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Askews and Holts Library Services M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Askews and Holts Library Services
What does Askews and Holts Library Services do?
Askews and Holts Library Services supplies Adult and Children's books, DVDs, Blu-ray titles, music CDs and eBooks to public, school and specialist libraries across the UK and overseas via its own web-based catalogue and ordering platform. The offering combines firm-sale book and multimedia supply with Fully Managed Supplier Selection by in-house qualified librarians, the proprietary Cascade online selection tool, Standing Orders, Back Stock Wizard, shelf-ready processing and full EDI integration to Library Management Systems supported by UKMARC and MARC21 bibliographic records.
Is Askews and Holts Library Services a public or private company?
Askews and Holts Library Services is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Askews and Holts Library Services founded?
Askews and Holts Library Services was founded in 2011. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Askews and Holts Library Services based?
Askews and Holts Library Services is headquartered in Preston, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Askews and Holts Library Services make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Book and multimedia product sales are the primary driver. The others are fully Managed Supplier Selection services, shelf-ready processing and value-added services and eBook distribution via VLeBooks platform.
Who are Askews and Holts Library Services's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Ingram Content Group and Baker & Taylor. Bibliographic Data Services (BDS) is listed as an others. Regional players are Permesso and Wheelers Books. Direct peers are OverDrive, Coutts Information Services (Baker & Taylor), Dawson Books and Bertrams Library Services. Bibliotheca (Axiell) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Askews and Holts Library Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Askews and Holts Library Services.
What industry is Askews and Holts Library Services in?
Askews and Holts Library Services's product category is Library Supply Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOALAL, Library & Institutional Supplies Distribution, with a secondary code of CRAOALAA, Book Trade Wholesale (Print Books). Its NAICS code is 513130 and its SIC code is 2731.