report on the 3rd ProLISSA/DISSAnet Conference, 28-29th October, Pretoria (See http://www.dissanet.com)

Abstract

I. Introduction The acronym DISSAnetstandsfor Development of Information Sciencein Southern Africa. It namesthe group of library and information science/service (LIS) professionalswho, within the frame of a development project in 1998-2004, have built a research network aimed at functioning as a national platform to support professional developments and internationalisation in the LISfield. During the democratisation and development process in South Africa (since the first democratic elections in 1994)considerable help was given to libraries and LISschools in the form of computers and other materials, support with same training the use of these tools. The Third biennial DISSAnet Conference was held in Pretoria on the 28th_29th of October 2004. Broadly, the birth of democracy in South Africa has transformed the LIS profession. For instance, the formation of the Library and Information Association of South Africa (L1ASA)and ProLiSSA came as result of this process.As a result of this transformation, LISconferences are held regularly to promote research and knowledge sharing among academics, researchers, library staff, information specialists, and students in the South Africa and the region. This is done to prepare LIS researchers to communicate and function as an international team of professionals.