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In the past 25 years, LIASA has celebrated many achievements
• In 2002 and 2022, LIASA hosted the Standing Committee of Eastern, Central and Southern African Library Associations (SCECSAL) Conference.
• In 2007 and 2015, LIASA hosted the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Conference with about 3000 delegates from 120 countries in attendance. It was the second and third time the IFLA Conference was held on African soil.
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• The 2015 IFLA Conference gave rise to the Cape Town declaration signed by many African countries in support of their library and information services.
• The very first interim president of LIASA, Dr Peter Lor was elected to the prestigious position of secretary general of IFLA.
• Ellen Tise and Mandla Ntombela (both previous LIASA presidents) together with Kay Raseroka (a LIASA honorary member) were elected into the IFLA Governing Board. Tise and Raseroka were subsequently elected as IFLA presidents.
• Numerous other prominent and respected LIASA members serve on the IFLA Governing Board, as well as other IFLA governance structures.
• LIASA was a partner to the first Public Library Summit, held in Pretoria. This summit saw the birth of the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA).
• In 2017, LIASA honorary member John Tsebe was elected as the AfLIA president for the second consecutive term. A previous president, Mandla Ntombela was elected as the vice president. Ntombela was elected as president for the following term.
• LIASA members serve in various leadership positions on AfLIA and IFLA committees.
• LIASA was privileged to have received many grants, mainly from international donor organisations, for the development of libraries and librarians in the country.
• In 2014, LIASA was awarded, in line with the NQF Act 67 of 2008, professional body recognition for the LIS and related professions from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). This recognition was renewed in 2019.
• LIASA celebrated its 10th, 15th, 20th and now 25th anniversary in 2022.
