On May 14, 2025, Amigos Library Services hosted "Our Present. Our Futures. The Amigos Member Conference 2025," bringing together library professionals and several students from across the region for a day of learning, inspiration, and connection. The conference opened with a powerful keynote by Julie Mosbo Ballestro, University Librarian and Assistant Provost at Texas A&M University Libraries. Her session, "Transforming Libraries: Embracing Change for the Future," highlighted how libraries can remain resilient while building a future-focused team.
The Annual Member Business Meeting and a diverse selection of concurrent sessions followed, offering practical insights and thought-provoking perspectives. In addition to celebrating the strength and creativity of our member libraries, the event served as the perfect opportunity to announce Amigos' new Board of Directors and a new benefit of membership. Beginning in June 2025, Amigos will offer all scheduled continuing education events as a free benefit of membership. Live Online classes now join Amigos Know & Go sessions, Online Conferences, the Essentials Series, and Community Conversations as no-cost education resources for member libraries. This investment reaffirms Amigos' commitment to helping members build staff capacity and expand services, even during tight budgets.
Concurrent session presenters explored emerging and critical issues in the library environment on timely topics, including AI Instruction in the library, community storytelling strategies, the evolving role of libraries as hosts in the digital era, and member experiences with digital tools for engagement and streamlined operations. Presenters from across the Amigos membership shared their experiences, tips, and visions for what's next, sparking valuable dialogue and possible cross-library collaboration.
The day concluded with an "Interview with an Innovator” closing keynote with Tracy Byerly, Chief Programs Officer at Amigos, speaking with Lisa Wells, Executive Director of Pioneer Library System, about her experiences and how they show the challenges and the creative breakthroughs shaping library leadership today. The Amigos Member Conference 2025 was not just a reflection on where we've been; it was also a celebration of where we're going, together. And with expanded access to free continuing education, Amigos helps ensure our members are equipped for every step of that journey.
In addition to our speakers, attendees, and staff, Amigos also thanks all our event sponsors. Sponsorship support comes from four Amigos vendor partners: LexisNexis is the official Conference Sponsor, Oxford University Press and Project MUSE (The Johns Hopkins University Press) are Gold Sponsors, and BoardDocs is a Silver Sponsor.