Striving to unite, develop and empower all institutions and people in the library and information field About LIASA THE impetus towards the formation of a unified professional association for the LIS sector began in 1993 with the Transforming Library and Information Services (TRANSLIS) project. This was carried forward in 1995 by the conference on Libraries and Information Services in Developing South Africa (LISDESA), continued through the Unification of Library and Information Stakeholders Conference (ULIS 1) and finally culminated at the ULIS 2 Conference, held in Pretoria in July 1997. At this ULIS 2 Conference, the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) was established and then officially launched on July 10, 1997. In 2015, this day has been declared South African Librarians’ Days, which has become one of LIASA’s flagship programmes. The newly established association was aptly named LIASA, pronounced liyasa, meaning “the rising sun” in the Ngun languages, promising a new era for the Library and Information Services (LIS) sector in South Africa. In 2014, LIASA was recognised as the Professional Body for the Library and Information services sector of South Africa, a status that was renewed in 2019. This recognition is awarded by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) according to the NQF Amendment Act 12 of 2019. As the Professional Body, LIASA strives to unite, develop and empower all institutions and people in the library and information field to provide dynamic leadership in transforming, developing and sustaining library and information services (LIS) for all people in South Africa.
Core Values • Providing leadership excellence to the profession, nationally and internationally. • Ensuring professional conduct. • Engaging in the highest ethical practice. • Acknowledging and respect the diversity and individuality of all people. • Leading the development and growth of the LIS profession through Vision excellence. Dynamic association of excellence • Promote freedom of access to for the Library and Information information as enshrined in the Services sector. Constitution of SA. • Championing the culture of reading Mission and life-long learning to build an The association that connects the informed nation. LIS sector and promotes the • Committing to the development and development of South Africa through growth of South Africa through access to information. excellence in librarianship. LIASA also represents the interests of and promotes the development and image of the library and information profession in South Africa, at local, provincial and national level to learners, the general public, government, and other agencies. Furthermore, LIASA represents the South African LIS sector at national and international level.
