eShelf℠ update highlights Amigos November board meeting

An update on the launch of the Amigos eShelf℠ Service highlighted the November 12, 2015 meeting of the Amigos Board of Directors in Dallas. The e-book distribution platform, in development and testing for nearly two years, made its official debut November 2. The Board also heard updates on two member benefits it authorized last year: free RDA Toolkit subscriptions and free attendance at live online topical conferences for all Amigos members.

Amigos Chair Steve Potter, Independence, MO, opened the meeting with a training session on the BoardDocs Board Management Solutions software program, which has been under consideration for use by the Board.

Amigos Treasurer Robin Fradenburgh, Austin, TX, reported that the organization's year-to-date net operations through October fell short of forecasts, while the Amigos investment portfolio included both realized gains and unrealized losses for the four-month period. She noted that Amigos continues to retain a strong fund balance.

Directors received the auditor's report for FY2015. Darjuan Horton, Senior Auditor for the accounting firm Salmon, Sims, Thomas & Associates, delivered the report and answered questions. The firm issued Amigos an unqualified opinion, the equivalent of an "excellent performance" report.

In her report, Amigos President and Chief Executive Officer Bonnie Juergens provided Directors with various updates on the operations of the organization. She reported on an upcoming Library Journal interview with Amigos’ eShelf℠ Service Manager Christine Peterson about the service for its December 2015 issue. Juergens also noted that Member Discount Services signed a partnership agreement with a vendor to offer Amigos members a discount on purchases of 3-D printers and supplies. She announced the recent hiring of two new Consulting and Education Services staff members, and that six Amigos staff members were recently honored for their service at the annual Staff Service Recognition reception.

Amigos Chief Internal Audit and IT Officer Keith Gaertner reported on Management Services’ recent conference support activities, including the September 29-30 Missouri Library Association/Kansas Library Association joint conference attended by over 800 participants.

The next meeting of the Amigos Board of Directors is scheduled for March 2, 2016.