News

The National Information Standards Organization (NISO) has announced the results of its recent Board elections for the term beginning July 1, 2023. Karim Boughida (Dean of University Libraries, Stony Brook University) will transition to the role of Chair of the NISO Board, having served as Vice Chair for the past year. "As the upcoming chair, I welcome our new esteemed NISO board members," said Karim Boughida. "Let us forge a path toward inclusive, accessible, and interoperable standards that empower individuals and organizations alike."

People experience inequities - instances of injustice and unfairness – in many parts of their lives and may even experience them when engaging with library policies, services, or programs. Central to the mission of libraries is a commitment to addressing long-entrenched and newly emerging inequities in society - whether inequities in access to information, education, opportunity, or representation. Addressing inequities requires assessment of library resources, examination of existing programs and services, and direct engagement with the communities experiencing inequity or injustice. How are libraries stepping up to address inequities across their communities? And how is that central part of our mission changing, becoming more challenging, or more rewarding?

Working with libraries across the country, AfterMouse has distributed the table in 40 countries with leading hotels and resorts, libraries, schools, 65 children’s hospitals and 80 Ronald McDonald Houses. After-Mouse, creators of the PLAY Touch Table, is an Amigos vendor partner through discount direct. For a limited time, members can receive an $800 discount on a new Play Table.

A recent agreement between National Information Standards Organization (NISO) and Amigos Library Services (Amigos) now extends NISO Library Standards Alliance (LSA) membership to all Amigos members. The agreement provides over 500 Amigos member libraries with full LSA membership benefits, including free access to NISO's educational webinar program, unlimited participation in NISO Working Groups/Standing Committees, and discounted registration for all non-webinar events, including the annual NISO Plus conference.

People experience inequities - instances of injustice and unfairness – in many parts of their lives and may even experience them when engaging with library policies, services, or programs. Central to the mission of libraries is a commitment to addressing long-entrenched and newly emerging inequities in society - whether inequities in access to information, education, opportunity, or representation. Addressing inequities requires assessment of library resources, examination of existing programs and services, and direct engagement with the communities experiencing inequity or injustice. How are libraries stepping up to address inequities across their communities? And how is that central part of our mission changing, becoming more challenging, or more rewarding?

Amigos Library Services is pleased to announce the following individuals have been elected to three-year terms (2023-2026) on the Amigos Board of Directors:

If you missed the May 10, 2023 Amigos Member Conference 2023: Libraries Plan to Succeed live, there's still a chance to catch up on the sessions by registering for the recordings. The Skilltype sponsored online conference revolved around Amigos member libraries' latest innovations and planning strategies.

Addressing inequities requires assessment of library resources, examination of existing programs and services, and direct engagement with the communities experiencing inequity or injustice. How are libraries stepping up to address inequities across their communities?

Skilltype, a talent and skills management platform that enables libraries to identify, develop and create higher-performing teams, is partnering with Amigos Library Services on a special offer. Amigos Member libraries can receive a negotiated, limited-time discount of 20% off the annual contract list rate until June 30th.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) powered chatbots such as ChatGPT are quickly becoming tools for in-depth research and everyday informational searching. ChatGPT compiles massive amounts of data to make predictions to string together words, phrases, long summaries, and even scripts.

Hear about great plans and successes! Taking place online, the Skilltype sponsored Amigos Member Conference 2023: Libraries Plan to Succeed will revolve around Amigos member libraries' latest innovations and planning strategies.

Join Reprints Desk for the 2nd episode of their series "Bringing Users Back to the Library", featuring Jenny Watson, Head of Storage and Delivery at the University of Oklahoma, an Amigos member library.

If you are the Voting Representative for your institution with Amigos, you were sent an email on April 10th regarding the Amigos Member Business Meeting. The ballot for the elections was sent on Monday April 17th and votes are due by Friday April 28th.

Amigos Library Services and the University Libraries at Washington University in St. Louis were pleased to host "Privacy and Learning Analytics: A Data Ethics Workshop for Library Professionals" on Friday March 31, 2023. The workshop, led by Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe, Professor & Coordinator for Research and Teaching Professional Development, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is part of the IMLS-funded Prioritizing Privacy project.

"Post-AI/ChatGPT: The Rise of the Machines in Libraries!" will be the keynote session presented by Karim Boughida, Dean of Stony Brook University Libraries at the Amigos Member Conference 2023: Libraries Plan to Succeed. Taking place online, the Skilltype sponsored conference will revolve around Amigos member libraries' latest innovations and planning strategies.

One free month of New York Times access is available for new subscriptions starting in July: sign up for 12 months starting in July and receive access in June for free! Sign up by May 20, 2023 to get all of your free month - the sooner you place your order, the better!