| Library and Information Association of South Africa | |
| Formation: | 1997 |
| Type: | Library Association |
| Purpose: | The Association that connects the LIS sector and promotes the development of South Africa through access to information. |
| Headquarters: | 228 Johannes Ramokhoase street (Previously Proes Street), Pretoria (Annex to the National Library of South Africa)[1] |
| Location: | Pretoria, South Africa |
| Region Served: | South Africa |
| Membership: | Approx. 1500 |
| Language: | English |
| Leader Title: | President |
| Leader Name: | Mr Nazeem Hardy (PL) |
The Library and Information Association of South Africa[2] (LIASA) is a professional non-profit organization, representing institutions and people working in libraries and information services. The LIASA National Office is located on the Pretoria campus of the National Library of South Africa (NLSA).[3]
The Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) was launched on 10 July 1997. The launch marked the end of the process of unification of all existing library organisations in South Africa, which had been initiated in January 1995, during the Conference on Libraries and Information Services in Developing South Africa (LISDESA), which was an initiative of the two largest existing organisations at the time, the South African Institute for Librarianship and Information Science (SAILIS) and the African Library Association of South Africa (ALASA). It was at LISDESA that the first Steering Committee for the Unification of Library and Information Stakeholders (ULIS) was elected and given the mandate to carry forward the process for a new organisation.[4]
At the ULIS-1 conference, held in July 1996 in Johannesburg, an Interim Executive Committee (IEC) was elected and mandated to draft a constitution for discussion by all the stakeholders. The IEC, supported by the Provincial Support Groups (PSGs) representing all nine provinces in the country, arranged the Constituent Conference (aka ULIS-2) at the University of Pretoria in July 1997.
Approximately 450 library and information workers representing all nine provinces in South Africa attended the Constituent Conference. The primary focus was to debate and approve the draft constitution. All delegates were given the opportunity to discuss and propose amendments. On the final morning the final edited draft of the constitution was presented and accepted unanimously. The delegates also voted for the name of the new organisation. A Transitional Executive Committee (TEC) was elected to manage the Association, to prepare for the election of the first Representative Council, and to organise the first annual conference, which took place in November 1998. Of significant note, the acronym LIASA, pronounced as "liyasa", in the Nguni languages, means "the dawning".
Peter Johan Lor, former State Librarian and former IFLA[5] Secretary General, is listed as the very first LIASA member.
The Representative Council is made up of the five elected officials (President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer and Public Relations Officer), the Chairs and Chairs-Elect of the LIASA Branches, Chairs of the Interest Groups, as well as the Editors of LIASA-in-Touch[6] (the official magazine) and the South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science (SAJLIS).
The Executive Committee[7] is made up the five elected officials and four additional Representative Council members. Elections are held every two years and each portfolio is held for a two-year term.
The Library and Information Association of South Africa has 10 branches[8] one in every province and two in Gauteng. Each branch has a committee elected from its paid-up members. Every branch arranges its own meetings and functions, and compiles its own constitution in alignment with the LIASA constitution.
LIASA has 10 Interest Groups[9] that serve as platforms for membership discussions that cover various areas of interest and specialisation. Members may choose to belong to two (2) Interest Groups at the time of registration. A national meeting of each Interest Group is convened at the annual LIASA Conference. Several Interest Groups have organised pre-conferences at the annual conference, which have exposed members to further training and skills development by experts in the field.
IFLA, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions,[10] of which LIASA is a member organisation, invites bids from different countries to host its annual World Library and Information Congress and Assembly. It attracts approximately 3500 international delegates to this annual congress.
The LIASA Conference is held annually[12] during September or October, and since 2011 the Conference rotates between the cities of Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg/Pretoria. This Conference serves as an opportunity for LIASA members to showcase best practices; learn about national and international trends; and meet experts.[13]
In 2001 LIASA[14] was tasked with the responsibility of initiating a week during which all types of libraries across the country raise the profile of libraries and market their services in an effort to contribute to the understanding of the important role that libraries play in a democratic society, advancing literacy, making the basic human right of freedom of access to information a reality, and to promote tolerance and respect among all South Africans. After extensive research into the history of libraries in South Africa and consultation with the membership the following proposal was accepted: "That the week within which 20 March falls should be National library week. In the event of this day failing within a weekend, then the week preceding it would be celebrated as National library week."
This is in recognition of the establishment of the first public library by a government proclamation on 20 March 1818, the South African Public Library, now known as the National Library of South Africa (Cape Town Campus). Furthermore, Human Rights Day is celebrated on 21 March and the South African Bill of Rights recognizes and upholds the freedom of access to information as a basic human right. The linking of an important historical event with a crucial date in this new democracy received wide acceptance.
The President of LIASA serves a two-year period, and may be re-elected for office. The following is a list of the current and past presidents of the association:[15]
LIASA has two official publications, namely: