‌AmigosNow

‌Message from CEO

As we have shared previously, Amigos is working closely with our Board of Directors on a new strategic plan to guide us through 2026 and beyond. As part of this process, I have been meeting with library leaders across our membership to hear directly about what is found most valuable in our programs and services and what we might need to develop to help our members thrive in a changing future. These conversations have been insightful and energizing. We appreciate your use of our discount subscription services and recognize the continued budgetary challenges that will make those services more important, but also more closely scrutinized. We continue to hear about the value of our continuing education offerings, and it has been very rewarding to hear that libraries are better able to engage with professional development now that we have made our offerings free for members. And there is continued interest in new technology solutions, like our institutional repository solution now in production with libraries across our membership. The comments and feedback from these sessions have been invaluable and have already been shared with our Board and staff to shape the strategic decisions ahead. I always look forward to continuing conversations with our member libraries and am continually seeking out new paths for engagement.

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.

‌Baylor Libraries Author Series - Society Without People: The Social Implications of the Metaverse and AI

The next session of the Baylor Libraries Author Series, "Society Without People: The Social Implications of the Metaverse and AI" (De Gruyter, 2025), features co-authors Dr. Christopher Pieper, Teaching Professor of Sociology at Baylor University, and Dr. Justin Nelson, Associate Professor of Sociology at Campbell University, in conversation with Dr. Elisabeth Rain Kincaid, Director of Baylor's Institute for Faith and Learning. This free event will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Noon CDT online via Zoom Webinar and in-person in the Schumacher Flex Commons of Moody Memorial Library on the campus of Baylor University. For more details, visit the Baylor Libraries Author Series page.

‌Candidates for election to the Amigos Board of Directors

The Amigos Nominating Committee has announced the slate of candidates for election in May to the Board of Directors. Candidate and voting information will be sent to the designated Voting Representatives of member institutions as part of an upcoming Call to Meeting.

‌Voting Representatives: A test email message is coming soon

In preparation for the upcoming Amigos Board of Directors election, Amigos is testing email addresses to ensure that voting materials will be properly received. A test message will sent to the email address on file for each member’s Voting Representative. For more information and how to update your Voting Representative contact information, please view this article.

‌CFP Open for The Ways We Thrive: The Amigos Member Conference 2026

Amigos invites members to share their expertise and experience at the 2026 Amigos Member Conference, themed “The Ways We Thrive.” This year’s conference celebrates the innovation, adaptability, and resilience that define libraries today.
Members are encouraged to submit proposals for 45‑minute individual or panel sessions that highlight practical insights, creative approaches, and lessons learned by April 3, 2026.

‌Know & Go: Performance Improvement Plans

No one wants workplace conflicts or performance issues, but a big part of a manager's job is addressing personnel issues when they arise. Join Amigos on March 24th for Know & Go: Performance Improvement Plans. This session highlights both written and verbal communication techniques, follow-up plans, and establishing accountability.

In-Person Courses in April 2026 at Austin Public Library‌

Join us for two exclusive in-person workshops hosted at the Austin Public Library. Each workshop requires a separate registration. Please note that these in-person workshops are only available to Amigos members.

Book Repair Basics (In-Person, Austin, Texas) – April 29 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Preservation expert Rebecca Elder will guide attendees through repair techniques for paper and books and will provide guidance for setting up a repair workspace, understanding book repair terminology, and engaging a conservator. This course requires a $75 supply fee.

Customer Service Basics (In-Person, Austin, Texas) April 29 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Join CES Manager Chris Pryor and Library Services Trainer Kyla Hunt in this in-person workshop on Customer Service Basics. Together, attendees will identify barriers to effectively communicating with patrons and develop a strategy for staff to practice their customer service skills.

‌Adaptive Services for Staff Success: An Amigos Community Conversation

Libraries are continually finding new ways to support staff with diverse cognitive, sensory, and workplace needs, and our next Community Conversation will offer practical guidance to strengthen inclusion in your own environment. On Wednesday, April 9, 2026, Amigos will host Adaptive Services for Staff Success, a live-only discussion focused on identifying barriers, adjusting workflows, and creating emotionally safe spaces where staff can thrive.

 
This session will be led by Dawn Behrend, Associate Dean of Administrative Services at the Thomas G. Carpenter Library at the University of North Florida, and Carmaleta McKinnis-Williams, Equity and Inclusion Program Manager at Austin Public Library.

 
Registration is open through April 7 and only open to Amigos members.

New Continuing Education Newsletter Now Available‌

The latest edition of Continued, the Amigos continuing education newsletter, has been published and is now available for readers. This issue highlights his issue highlights upcoming professional development events and a chance to shape future training through a one-question survey. Read this edition of Continued to find ways to expand expertise.

Readers are encouraged to explore the full issue and share it with colleagues who may benefit. To receive Continued directly to your inbox, sign up here.

‌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:

• Know & Go: Performance Improvement Plans
• Understanding and Supporting Neurodiverse Colleague
• Adaptive Services for Staff Success: An Amigos Community Conversation
• Cataloging and Classification Basics
• Know & Go: Tips for Cover Letters, Resumes, and Interviews
• Know & Go: Beyond the Books - Strengthening Rural Communities Through Library Engagement
• Book Repair Basics (In-Person, Austin, Texas)
• Customer Service Basics (In-Person, Austin, Texas)
• Know & Go: Understanding Creative Commons Licensing
• Soft Skills for Library Staff
• Know & Go: The Open Rules for Cataloging Project
• The Essentials: Teaching and Presenting in the Profession
• Know & Go: Building Authentic Culture in the Everyday Moments
• Library Management: Managing Change
• Know & Go: Library Management Skills for New and Aspiring Managers
• Creating a Collection Development Policy
• Library Signage
• Introduction to OpenRefine
• Know & Go: Increase Your Productivity with Time Management
• Know & Go: Diversity and Inclusion Activities for Library Meetings
• Creating Visual Content for Multiple Platforms

‌Spring Trainings with Springshare

Springshare is offering sessions on creating great content for LibGuides, LibConnect Pro, LibSites, and Incident and Issue Tracking – perfect for all levels of users looking for inspiration to make the most of their guides, emails, and websites. Take some time to learn with them this Spring.

‌New Pharmacology & Toxicology Collection Free to Read for Limited Time

A new BioOne Vista research collection focused on pharmacology & toxicology, highlighting research that drives veterinary medicine and protects Earth’s ecosystems is available and free to read through April 15, 2026. This curated collection supports teaching and research across multiple disciplines including agriculture, entomology, ornithology, zoology, veterinary medicine, and public health.

‌Bibliotele Highlights Voices That Refuse to Fade 

For Amigos vendor partner Bibliotele, March represents more than a changing of seasons – it connects several international observances that resonate deeply with libraries as spaces for culture, dialogue, and shared memory. It is a time to highlight stories that challenge injustice, celebrate creative expression, and confront histories that still demand recognition. Films, series, documentaries, and theater works offer rich opportunities for public libraries to foster critical thinking, emotional connection, and inclusive programming.