‌AmigosNow

A Message from Amigos President & CEO Miguel Figueroa

This month, our Trans-Amigos Express team is introducing a new service for participating TAE/TExpress libraries - a new lendables program designed to help expand libraries’ outreach and programming opportunities by leveraging the reliable TAE courier network. Designed with input from TAE/TExpress libraries, the collection features over 40 items including button makers, thermal laminators, game buzzers, monocular telescopes, sensory activity packs, 80mm telescope kits, and Cricut machines. TAE libraries can request these lendables to be delivered via Amigos’ courier service to their library. We hope that this provides opportunities to sample new tools and affordably access useful resources, all while continuing to engage patrons, promote the library, or simplify staff tasks. The collection, which will grow over time and with suggestions from users, is just one of the goals under our new strategic framework. We look forward to your input on the lendables program and your ideas for what we can tackle next as libraries working together.

As always, please reach out to membership@amigos.org or email me directly at figueroa@amigos.org to talk about how Amigos can partner with your library.

Featured Member Benefit: RDA Toolkit

Keeping up with evolving cataloging standards can be challenging, but the RDA Toolkit makes it easier. The official online resource for Resource Description and Access (RDA), the toolkit provides searchable and browsable instructions, Library of Congress policy statements, AACR2 crosswalks, and customizable workflows to support accurate, consistent metadata creation across all content types and formats.

As an Amigos member benefit, libraries can receive a single concurrent-user RDA Toolkit subscription through Amigos, with additional concurrent users available at a 13% discount off the ALA list price. Whether training staff, updating workflows, or navigating complex cataloging questions, RDA Toolkit helps teams stay current with today's metadata standards while improving efficiency and consistency.

Contact Amigos at rda@amigos.org to get started or request a quote for additional users.

Join the upcoming ALA webinar on November 19 to discover how they are developing and sharing these valuable resources.

CCLP Fall 2026 Update Webinar with Niso

Amigos members and the library community are invited to attend the October 20, 2026, Collaborative Collections Lifecycle Project (CCLP) Fall 2026 Update Webinar. This free public webinar will update the community on the Collaborative Collections Lifecycle Project (CCLP) and provide information on the recently published NISO CCLIP Recommended Practice, an outline of the technical development behind the related CYCLOPS software, and information on how you can get involved.

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Registration Open for Future Driven Collections

Registration is now open for Future Driven Collections, Amigos Library Services' online conference taking place December 9, 2026. The conference will feature sessions from library professionals exploring how libraries are developing sustainable, innovative practices that support access to information today while preparing for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow.

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Conference Call for Proposals Extended

Presentation proposals for the December 9th Future Driven Collections online conference are now being accepted through October 23, 2026. Amigos invites proposals from staff at member libraries and the wider library community for individual or panel sessions. 

If you're interested in sharing your knowledge and experiences, submit your proposal today.

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Digital Accessibility as Library Strategy Community Conversation

Digital accessibility is increasingly becoming a strategic priority for libraries. Join us on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, for Digital Accessibility as Library Strategy: An Amigos Community Conversation, a live discussion exploring how libraries are embedding accessibility into organizational priorities, workflows, and decision-making.

This session will be offered live only and will not be recorded to encourage open dialogue and participant engagement. Registration for this event is free and exclusively for Amigos members.

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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:

Learn How Communities Are Creating RDA Examples

Join the American Library Association on November 19, 2026, for a webinar exploring how cataloging communities create RDA examples and training resources for their users.

RDA Steering Committee's Education and Orientation Officer Elisa Sze and Examples Editor Jessica Grzegorski will lead the event and offer an overview of the example creation and review process, including opportunities for language communities to translate existing examples or create their own.

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Is Your AI Allowed to Read That? Understanding Reuse Rights in the Age of AI

As AI tools become increasingly embedded in research workflows, many organizations are grappling with a new question: Are the rights you have for accessing content the same rights you have for using that content with AI?

Register today for Research Solutions’ October 28th webinar exploring the evolving intersection of content reuse rights, copyright compliance, and AI-powered research. Whether supporting researchers, managing info resources, or overseeing compliance, this session offers guidance for navigating rights management in an AI-enabled environment.

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Bloomsbury Special Savings and Webinar

Bloomsbury is offering Amigos members an additional 10% discount on new subscriptions and one-time purchases of select digital collections through November 15, 2026. Eligible resources span a range of disciplines, including history, philosophy, health and wellness, religion, and the social sciences.

In addition to this offer, members are invited to participate in the October 19th webinar, Food Across Borders, moderated by Dr Matthew Phillpott, host of the podcast 'The Hungry Historians'.

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Discover Spanish-Language Streaming Content for Your Library

Bibliotele is a Spanish language streaming service built for public and academic libraries and special member pricing is available for this Amigos vendor partner. More than 5,000 hours of Ibero American and international film, documentaries, series and children's programming, plus a performing arts collection of over 300 exclusive stage productions are available.

Most titles include public performance rights, so your library can program screenings at no extra cost.

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Digital Repository Service November Office Hours

Register today for the November 19th Digital Repository Service Office Hours session, Digital Accessibility in Hyku. This Office Hours session will begin with an overview of the digital accessibility features available in Hyku, including capabilities that support compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA standards. Learn how these tools can help create more accessible and inclusive digital collections and experiences for end users.

Digital Repository Service Office Hours is a series designed for libraries, archives, and cultural heritage institutions interested in learning more about Hyku, a community-supported digital repository platform for organizations of all types and sizes.

Office Hours are open to all libraries. Advance registration is required.

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Report Holiday Closings with the Courier Hub

As the end of the year and the holidays approach, be sure to report your upcoming site closures using the “Report Closings” link or directly in the new TAE Courier Hub. In the Courier Hub, courier program participants can create labels, track packages, submit statistics, report lost items, and order supplies. 

New to the Hub? Watch the recorded webinar for a quick overview of the new layout. 

Contact tae@amigos.org with any questions.