‌AmigosNow

‌Message from CEO

Amigos is starting the new year in full swing, working with our Board of Directors on a new strategic plan to guide us through 2026 and beyond. Over the past several months I have shared some brief questions to help us identify interests in the areas of connection and learning, technology needs, and resource sharing. And in these early weeks of 2026 I have invited member library deans and directors to one-on-one conversations to better understand how libraries engage with Amigos and how we can contribute to libraries’ goals and aspirations.

To add another dimension to our process, we would like to hear from our member libraries to better understand their own strategic plans – so that we might align our work to some of the shared goals and directions for libraries across our region. If you would like to contribute your library’s strategic plan to our information collection, please use our collection form.

As always, please email me directly at figueroa@amigos.org if you would like to make time for a one-on-one conversation about our future work or to talk about how Amigos can partner with your library.

Amigos 2024–25 Annual Report: A Year of Progress and Investment

We are pleased to share the Amigos 2024–25 Annual Report, which highlights a year of continued progress, collaboration, and investment across our member network. Guided by our commitment to supporting libraries and library staff, this past year brought meaningful accomplishments, including the launch of a new website, expanded engagement with member libraries, enhancements to member benefits, and continued strength in resource sharing, continuing education, and technology services.

The report also reflects Amigos’ forward-looking focus, with new partnerships, investments in professional development, and innovative technology solutions designed to meet evolving library needs. From expanded continuing education opportunities to strengthened consortium services and new digital infrastructure, these efforts are building a stronger, more connected community. We are grateful for your partnership and invite you to explore the full report to learn more about the impact of this work and what lies ahead.

Kyla Hunt Joins Amigos as Library Services Trainer and Missouri Libraries 2 Go (MOLIB2GO) Coordinator

Kyla Hunt joined Amigos Library Services on January 12th as the new Library Services Trainer and Missouri Libraries 2 Go (MOLIB2GO) Coordinator.

In her role, Kyla will help facilitate and lead trainings from Amigos' schedule of Know & Go and Live Online training sessions, Online Conference series, and Community Conversations. Kyla will also help manage the Missouri Libraries 2 Go (MOLIB2GO) consortium. Learn more about Kyla and her experience here. 

‌Register for February Conference

Register today for Digital Accessibility in Libraries, the February 25th Amigos online conference. Free for members!

Beginning in April 2026, the ADA Title II rule requires all public-facing library websites, mobile apps, and electronic resources to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. This conference will offer actionable strategies and collaborative solutions, drawing on shared experiences to help libraries embed accessibility into their digital strategies and create a more inclusive future.

‌‌February and March Know & Go Sessions: Bite-Sized Learning for Library Staff

Amigos is offering a unique lineup of Know & Go sessions this February and March. Library professionals are encouraged to register soon for these timely sessions and take advantage of accessible, relevant learning. Free for members!

• New! Know & Go: Trauma-Informed Design for Libraries (February 5, 12:00–1:00 pm)
• New! Know & Go: College Students Actually Do Read (February 11, 12:00–1:00 pm)
• Know & Go: Customer Service Basics (March 11, 11:00 am–12:00 pm)
• Know & Go: Performance Improvement Plans (March 24, 1:00–2:00 pm)

‌Hive CFP Closing Soon!

Amigos invites proposals for panelists for the next session in our quarterly educational series, The Hive, taking place on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, from 1–2 pm Central. Proposals can be submitted through the online form through January 31, 2026.

This session will feature multiple speakers sharing their best tips, tricks, and practical insights on the topic of Unlocking the Power of APIs in Libraries. APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, are web services designed to allow systems and computers to transfer, share, and process information.

‌Amigos Online Learning - Free for Members

All courses on the Continuing Education Services schedule are free for Amigos members. Review the Schedule for the latest additions and updates:

‌Schlager Announces 2026 Title Additions and Growth

Schlager Digital Library has announced its 2026 expansion of title offerings, along with continued growth in institutional adoption. A leading publisher of primary source documents, dedicated to making the past accessible for research and learning, Schlager continues its commitment to broadening digital access and supporting the evolving needs of library partners worldwide.

For libraries looking to elevate digital services and broaden access to curated electronic resources, Schlager’s growth signals a continued trend in digital offerings that align with user expectations and community information needs.

‌Oxford University Press Upgrades

Oxford University Press is upgrading the access control system for a number of its online resources to improve performance and stability. This process is occurring in two batches: the first began the week of January 12th and the second will begin the week of January 27th.

This process will be largely invisible to most product users and there will be only limited actions and impacts on those managing the products.