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‌Message from the CEO

At its August meeting, the Amigos Board of Directors reviewed the organizational goals for our current 2026-27 membership year and updated our strategic framework to reflect our planned efforts. And the Amigos team are already making progress on these initiatives. Just this week, our Technology Solutions and IT teams are reaching out to public library members to pilot a new events and rooms management service. Our TAE/TExpress Courier team is finalizing a list of items to build a new lendable collection of tools for library staff. And, inspired by our goal to explore new shared electronic resources, we are introducing access to ACRL’s and PLA’s Benchmark tools as a new member benefit for interested academic and public libraries. We will continue to make progress on these and other initiatives – and are excited to share some of the milestones in our work. 

We are looking forward to this membership year – and to connecting with more libraries to learn about how we can all grow and succeed together. Please reach out at membership@amigos.org or email me directly at figueroa@amigos.org to talk more about how Amigos can partner with your library.

Introducing a New Amigos Member Benefit: Access to ACRL and PLA Benchmark: Library Metrics & Trends

Amigos continues to invest in and expand member benefits with a new offer for public and academic libraries interested in Benchmark: Library Metrics & Trends. Amigos will pay for academic and public libraries’ access to Benchmark for up to two years (through August 2028). Members are invited to take advantage of this offer immediately.

Benchmark is a powerful data and analytics platform that helps libraries measure performance, support strategic planning, and demonstrate their impact.

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Recently Recorded Sessions for Staff Training

Need some extra time to share our recent book repair and shelving Know & Gos with your staff and volunteers? We have two recording registrations available until August 13, 2027!

Join book repair expert Rebecca Elder in Know & Go: Three Basic Book Repair Techniques for a demonstration of three essential techniques for extending the life of circulating collections. The course includes a supply list to help learners get started with book repair right away.

Know & Go: Shelving 101: Library of Congress was created with student workers, volunteers and all employees who are responsible for shelving library materials using LCC in mind. Through demonstration and interactive materials, participants will explore introductory shelving concepts, common shelving mistakes, and approaches to maintaining an organized collection.

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The Hive Call for Proposals Closing Soon

Amigos invites proposals for panelists for the next session in our educational series, The Hive, taking place on October 29, 2026, from 1–2 pm Central. Submit your proposal for The Hive: Quick Wins for Improving Digital Accessibility through the online form by September 4, 2026.

The Hive is designed to feature speakers from across the Amigos membership who want to share their best tips and tricks on the selected topic. These 60-minute sessions offer multiple speakers the opportunity to present brief 8–10-minute sessions followed by Q&A for the individual panelists.

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Registration Open for The Flexible Library Conference

Registration is open for The Flexible Library, Amigos' online conference taking place September 23, 2026. This one-day virtual event will explore how libraries are embracing flexibility in staffing, funding, programming, and organizational culture to meet evolving community needs. As always, registration is free for Amigos members and includes access to conference recordings for one year following the event.

Whether you're a library leader, frontline staff member, or simply interested in new ways to navigate change, The Flexible Library offers practical ideas and inspiration for today's evolving library landscape.

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NISO Webinar Explores the Effect of Generative AI on Library Discovery

Generative AI is rapidly changing how library users search for and discover information. On September 8, 2026, NISO's Open Discovery Initiative will present The Effect of Generative AI on Library Discovery, a webinar examining how AI-enhanced discovery tools are reshaping access to library resources.

Amigos members are NISO Library Standards Alliance members and may attend this webinar at no cost.

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‌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:

Stretch Your Budget with Amigos Discount Direct

Finding cost-effective solutions for library collections, services, and operations is more important than ever. Through Amigos Discount Direct, members can access negotiated discounts on a range of library products, electronic resources, and professional services ordered directly from trusted industry vendors.

Popular vendors available through the program include Bibliotheca, DEMCO, Gaylord, Niche Academy, Skilltype, and many others. With a diverse range of offerings, Discount Direct helps libraries identify resources that support their unique goals while making the most of available funding.

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Celebrate 130 Years of Gaylord Archival with Special Savings

For 130 years, Gaylord Archival has provided libraries, archives, museums, and cultural heritage organizations with products designed to help preserve and protect collections. To celebrate this milestone, Gaylord is offering customers 20% off an order through December 31, 2026.

Whether you're purchasing preservation supplies, archival storage products, or collection care materials, this promotion from Amigos Discount Direct vendor Gaylord Archival offers an opportunity to stretch your budget while investing in the long-term care of your collections.

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Expert-Curated Marketing Sources, Now Available

Keeping up with marketing research can be challenging, particularly as new trends, tools, and strategies emerge across multiple disciplines. Oxford University Press (OUP) has released a new resource designed to help researchers, faculty, and students quickly identify authoritative sources in the field.

For academic libraries supporting business, communications, and marketing programs, this new resource offers a valuable starting point for research while helping users navigate an increasingly complex information landscape.

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