About Peters

The UK's principal and probably the best children's library supplier in the country, J S Peters & Son Ltd. has been involved in library supply and general bookselling since 1935 with the opening of our first shop in Moor Street, Birmingham by John Sheldon Peters.

A move to Thorp Street in 1962 saw Malcolm Peters, the 3rd generation of Peters, join the company, where he built up business to schools and colleges.

In 1983, under Malcolm's instigation, Peters Library Service was launched to re-establish the company as a specialist children's library bookseller, still based in Birmingham.

A requirement in 1989 to house the Birmingham Royal Ballet on the Thorp Street site gave the opportunity for us to move to much larger premises at our present address, providing 35,000 square feet of showroom and office space.

Now the only dedicated children's specialist supplier in the country, Peters is still owned by the Peters family, who are still actively involved: Malcolm retired in 2009 and his son Rhydian - fourth generation Peters - replaced him as Chairman.

Moira Arthur was appointed Managing Director in 1999 following the change of name to Peters Bookselling Services. She retired in August 2009 and has since received the Eleanor Farjeon Award after 31 years in library supply specialising in children's books.

Carl McInerney, Moira's successor, joined Peters after having worked in the private sector with some of the world's leading consumer brands. Carl oversaw a transitional period, during which the company's management structure was realigned to provide increased commercial focus.

After Carl's departure in December 2010, Ray Dyer took over as Managing Director, bringing to the position over 25 years of library supply experience which he has accumulated across commercial and operational roles, 15 years being with Peters Bookselling Services as Operations Director.