Pegi Williams Book Shop
Pegi Williams Book Shop began on 12th September 1987 when Pegi, who began her work in Children's Literature at the Loxton Institute Library (Riverland South Australia) in the early 1940's, and James, her nephew who started working with Pegi at The Children's Bookshelf of Australia in 1982, opened their own shop and business at Walkerville (in the Adelaide metropolitan area).
Pegi's family moved to Adelaide in 1946 where she joined the staff of E.S. Wigg and Son (Educational Booksellers) and Pegi's lifetime career in the Children's Book Trade commenced. Her work included consulting kindergartens and primary schools in South Australia and Northern Territory, recommending books for specific requirements and selections for school libraries as her judgement was relied upon heavily.
After 41 years in the book trade, Pegi and James officially opened Pegi Williams Book Shop on 12th December 1987 with the help of a couple of friends (Colin Thiele cut the ribbon, Max Fatchen ate the cake) and continued to provide their service and knowledge of Children's Literature to schools.
In September 1996 Sherry Harvey, who had worked with Pegi and James for a number of years previously continued her 15 years experience in Children's Literature as Sales Representative with Pegi Williams Book Shop. Sherry has been calling on South Australian schools for 21 years and is also a major review contributor to our School's Back and Mid Year Mailings.
Although our little shop in Walkerville had served us well, the stock had long outgrown its walls so the search for a new shop began in 1997. After 18 months searching with no luck, Pegi and James came across an old house still within Walkerville, which needed a considerable amount of work but had potential. The property was passed in at auction and the search resumed.
Pegi's career spanned 52 years, including 42 years of committee service to the South Australian Branch of the Children's Book Council, an Order of Australia Medal 1992 for her services to children's literature, and the Australian Booksellers and Publishers Association's 'Pixie Award' for dedicated service to the promotion of Australian Children's Books in 1995. In October 1998, Pegi tragically died in a car accident.
Now a sole trader and with 16 years experience in the children's book trade himself, James began to consolidate the business and continued the quest for new premises. January 1999 saw the requirement for new staff and Sue Manning, who had also worked with Pegi and James for a number of years previously, commenced work. Sue had also been involved with children's literature for 15 years and knew the principles behind the business.
In September 1999, James came across an old stone house built in 1870, still in Walkerville, which needed no work, just books, and this time the property wasn't passed in! Coincidently, the house was across the road from the property Pegi and James had eyed 12 months earlier.
So the new millennium brought a new beginning for Pegi Williams Book Shop as January 2000 saw the introduction of our 'famepus' cat, Millie (Millennium Williams) the official opening of our new premises, once again by Max Fatchen, and the doors open for business as usual.
Employment of casual staff over the past year including Rod Manning has seen the storeroom move off site and our School's Back and Mid Year Mailings being sent to schools and kindergartens Australia wide. The launch of our 25,000 book database at www.pegiwilliams.com.au begins a new chapter of Pegi Williams Book Shop.
Contact Us
Shop Address:
99 Walkerville Tce,
Walkerville SA 5081
Postal Address:
PO BOX 1,
Collinswood SA 5081
Ph: (08) 8344 6457
Fax: (08) 8344 6460
Email: james@pegiwilliams.com.au
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm
Sat 9am-12noon
(closed on all public holidays)