• ASAIB compiles and maintains a register of freelance indexers and bibliographers, which it disseminates to the publishing industry.
• ASAIB liaises with the publishing industry to ensure the maintenance of standards as well as appropriate fees for indexers and bibliographers.
• ASAIB offers short courses, meetings and workshops on indexing and compiling bibliographies.
• ASAIB offers additional advice on matters pertaining to indexing, including information on recommended books, computerised indexing programmes, and university and other courses in indexing and bibliography offered in South Africa.
• ASAIB has published guides to aspects of indexing and compiled information booklets from conference material for the benefit of its members.

• ASAIB is an independent organisation that exists to serve the best interests of Southern African indexers and bibliographers, promote all aspects of indexing and bibliographic activity, and advance the cause and profession of indexing in Southern Africa. The Association has organised training courses, workshops, conferences, developed a website, and published monographs since its formation. An award is made annually for the best index or bibliography.
• Further training in indexing can serve to compliment practical indexing training received at tertiary institutions. It can fill a gap should such training not form part of a curriculum. Training could benefit those who wish to index professionally, to address a workplace requirement, or to advance their indexing skills in general.
• A need has been expressed for further training in indexing. During the 2001 annual conference it was decided that since there is a need for indexing training in South Africa, ASAIB and other interested parties should investigate the problem. This includes training in bibliographic skills. Bibliographers are part of a very small, specialised group and form part of the information profession. This led the Association to offer its training on a more regular basis, including pre-conference workshops and special requests. The workshops allow for the addition of related topics if a trainer is available. A mentoring programme was added for novice indexers on a request basis.
• Publishers continuously contact either the executive committee for names of indexers, or the online Directory for Freelance Indexers. ASAIB strives to make this information easily accessible.

• compiles and maintains a register of skilled and reliable freelance indexers and bibliographers, which it disseminates to the publishing industry
• formulates guidelines for recommended tariffs which freelance indexers and bibliographers are advised to charge publishers and other organisations which make use of their services to ensure maintenance of standards, as well as fair and appropriate fees
• offers short training courses, meetings and workshops on indexing and bibliography
  (e.g., abstract writing; indexing electronic documents, language in indexing, professional issues for indexers, technical issues for book indexing, periodical indexing, web indexing/information architecture) – many training requests were received from Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, and Kimberley
• hosts an annual conference
• annual award for best index and/or bibliography
• functions as an advisory bureau and information clearing centre, including information on recommended books, computerised indexing programs, university and other courses in indexing and bibliography offered in South Africa
• liaises with the publishing industry and relevant professional industry bodies to ensure maintenance of indexing and bibliography standards
• publishes guides such as basic manuals and other information booklets for the benefit of its members
• publishes a newsletter; conference proceedings of our annual conference (now online)

Together, the indexing societies are governed by ICRIS (International Committee of Representatives of Indexing Societies). The international relations between the different indexing societies and associated groups or networks are governed by the International Agreement of Indexing Societies.

More information is available via the following links:

• https://www.theindexer.org/international/about-icris/
• https://www.theindexer.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ICRIS-history.pdf
• https://www.theindexer.org/international/membership/

Affiliated societies:

• SI ([British and Irish] Society of Indexers in London)
  https://www.indexers.org.uk/
• AFEPI Ireland (Association of Editors, Proofreaders and Indexers of Ireland)
  https://afepi-ireland.com/
• ANZSI (Australian and New Zealand Society of Indexers)
  https://www.anzsi.org/
• ASI (American Society for Indexing)
  https://www.asindexing.org/
• CSI (China Society of Indexing)
• ISC/SCI (Indexing Society of Canada / Société canadienne d’indexation)
  https://indexers.ca/

Associate groups and networks:

• DNI (Deutsches Netzwerk der Indexer/German Indexing Network)
  https://d-indexer.org/
• NIN (Nederlands Indexers Netwerk/Netherlands Indexing Network)
  https://www.linkedin.com/company/nederlands-indexers-netwerk-nin-/