The Full Suite of Library Services

Books Asia helps you receive books in a genuinely shelf-ready format - supported by MARC records and EDI processing. We spent many years developing IT Systems, Data Standards and Processes to make supply easier for libraries.

A London Libraries Consortium (LLC) survey showed that without automation, it cost £5.46 to 'put a book on the shelf'. With Supplier Selection, MARC Records and full EDI, this cost reduced to £0.62 per book.

Machine Readable Cataloguing (MARC)

Our MARC records are regarded as the UK's highest-quality and most comprehensive records available for foreign-language titles. Books Asia is the only foreign-language supplier to create MARC records in-house. That gives us much greater control over quality, consistency and local tailoring.

All the Formats Available

Our MARC utilities have been developed over many years in response to the changing needs of public and academic libraries:

  • UKMarc was developed in 2005 with assistance from Bradford Central Library.
  • Marc21 was introduced in 2007 with assistance from Leicestershire Libraries.
  • Marc21 RDA was introduced in 2013 to support the move from AACR2 to RDA.
  • MarcXML was launched in 2016 to support academic and international libraries.

Quality, Value and Flexibility

We have invested in both technology and expertise, building our MARC processes in collaboration with BDS and many cataloguers across the UK.

  • Our MARC records are always supplied free of charge.
  • They are specific to each title and contain a comprehensive set of 35+ tags.
  • Additional local tags, including legacy and 9XX tags, can be developed to match your library's requirements.
  • Records can be sent by email, uploaded to BDS, or deposited on the Books Asia FTP server.

For a new library customer, this means better metadata from day one, less correction work locally, and records that fit more naturally into existing cataloguing workflows.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

Our EDI system was developed in-house between 2009 and 2011, working closely with Kent, Milton Keynes, Hampshire and Kirklees. Technical consultancy was provided by Civica, SirsiDynix, Axiell, Talis (Capita) and Nielsen.

Crucially, our EDI works with or without ISBN numbers, overcoming one of the historic issues often faced with foreign-language titles.

Accreditation and Compatibility

Our EDI messages have been developed and tested in conjunction with leading LMS vendors. We are BIC e4libraries, TEiLA and Capita accredited. We also work closely with Nielsen, BDS and the major LMS suppliers, helping libraries set up reliable end-to-end message workflows for quotes, orders, fulfilments and invoices.

Setting Up EDI with Books Asia

Setting up EDI with Books Asia is a straightforward and well-tested process:

1

Vendor Setup

You set up Books Asia as a vendor on your LMS. You will need our GLN, which is 5030670164455. You also need to notify your LMS supplier that you will be trading by EDI with Books Asia.

Civica and Sirsi users will also need access to our FTP server.

This stage usually takes 2-3 days.

2

Development and Integration

We then configure your setup on our system. We need your GLN and the codes used in the GIR segments for each message type.

We normally work with your LMS supplier, your local EDI contact and your cataloguer to make sure everything is aligned properly.

Our development work usually takes around 2 days.

3

Life-Cycle Testing

Once the technology is in place, we run end-to-end tests for all relevant message types, including quotes, orders, fulfilments and invoices.

The aim is to prove both message content and delivery mechanisms before agreeing a go-live date.

The testing cycle usually takes around 3 days.

EDI is one of the clearest ways to reduce processing cost and administrative effort. We encourage all our libraries to 'Go EDI' with Books Asia.

Shelf-Ready Servicing

We reduce the workload for librarians by supplying books in a genuinely shelf-ready format. Every title is processed in accordance with your local guidelines, with care and consistency. The goal is simple: books should arrive ready for handling, issue and circulation, without creating avoidable work for library staff.

Labelling

NAG provides the standard servicing guidelines for UK public libraries. Books Asia then works to your exact local specification and provides customised labels to match your requirements.

Our transliteration slips are supplied free of charge and affixed inside each book. These labels reduce dependency on language specialists when processing foreign-language stock.

Jacketing

To keep books protected and looking good in circulation, we provide KPC dust jackets and KAPCO laminating. These are expertly fitted and supplied at cost price.

RFID Activation

Whether for stock-taking, self-service or security, RFID is now a core library technology. We use Bibliotheca SmartStations to activate all popular RFID tag types as part of the servicing process.