Home  >>  Library Acquisitions  >>  Our History

Our History

TODAY – At our Head Office and Distribution Centre in the south of Adelaide, South Australia, we have around 40 team members working each day to bring the latest Australian and international publications to schools and public libraries throughout the states and territories.

2020: Managing Director, Simon Woodley purchases ALS from Patricia Genat, bringing ALS back to its Woodley family roots. Simon looks forward to continuing the strong legacy of engagement in the library industry and customer service that both Len and Patricia have instilled in the business.

2011 – We implemented our new IT system and web site. “ACQUIS” allows us to select,order and track titles more quickly and efficiently for client and internal profiles and specialist lists. Our website offers around 6,000 carefully chosen pre-publication titles each month for clients to select. Each title is appropriate to Australian public library profiles and comes complete with bibliographic data and a downloadable simple MARC record if needed.

2007 – In November, Patricia Genat purchased ALS from Len Woodley. As the previous owner and manager, Len had steered the company through 30 years of change and growth in excellent service to public libraries around Australia. Patricia has many years experience in the book industry with management roles at various local and international publishers and distributors. Along with senior managers Simon Woodley and David Seekamp, Tricia and the ALS team look forward to continuing the proud history of ALS service to the Public Library industry.

1973 – ALS was formed as the Library division of Standard Books. New staff were recruited and cutting edge systems developed for the specific requirements of public libraries in South Australia and then Western Australia. ALS was the first library supplier to collate and offer new title data through an electronic service to a state wide Public Library system.

1964 – Standard Books begins to cater to academic and special libraries around Australia with their large range of educational and trade titles. Sales staff travel widely with current publisher catalogues to establish new customers and provide selection services.

1950 – Standard Books is a part of the Adelaide city book scape and as a division of this generalist bookseller, ALS has enjoyed continuous Australian ownership since the 1950′s when they first began supplying the Commonwealth Research libraries with selected collections.