Amigos Library Services’ 2026 Member Conference, The Ways We Thrive, brought together library professionals to celebrate the innovation, adaptability, and resilience that continue to shape the field. Conference sponsors included Amigos vendor partners LexisNexis, Demco, Oxford University Press, Bloomsbury, and Diligent/BoardDocs. Materials from the sponsors are available in the conference portal.
The event opened with a welcome from Amigos Board Chair Paula Settoon, followed by an engaging keynote from Edward Melton, Executive Director of Harris County Public Library, who explored how his library’s work has enriched lives and fostered thriving communities. The Member Business Meeting provided attendees with updates from the Board of Directors and the Amigos President and CEO, Miguel Figueroa. The conference concluded with a powerful closing keynote by Cindy Thompson, Dean of Libraries at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, emphasizing that thriving requires maintainingand building new connections.
Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to participate in sessions addressing timely topics and practical challenges. Highlights included discussions on building and sustaining lendable collections, maximizing the value of Amigos membership, and creating meaningful community programs—such as back-to-school outreach initiatives. Additional sessions explored choosing repository solutions and strengthening institutional infrastructure, providing attendees with actionable insights to support their organizations.
While the live event has concluded, the conference recording remains available for registered participants and those who register for on-demand access, extending the opportunity for continued learning through November 2027.