Registration is now open for The Flexible Library, Amigos Library Services' online conference taking place September 23, 2026. This one-day virtual event will explore how libraries are embracing flexibility in staffing, funding, programming, and organizational culture to meet evolving community needs. As always, registration is free for Amigos members and includes access to conference recordings for one year following the event.
This year's conference features two keynote presentations from respected library leaders who will share strategies for navigating change and preparing libraries for the future. The conference will also feature concurrent sessions from library professionals sharing innovative approaches to staffing, funding, training, and community engagement. Whether you're a library leader, frontline staff member, or simply interested in new ways to navigate change, The Flexible Library offers practical ideas and inspiration for today's evolving library landscape.
10 a.m. Opening Keynote - Flexibility as a Superpower: Reimagining Library Staffing, Partnerships, and Community Impact
Kara Whatley, Vice Provost for Libraries and University Librarian at the University of Missouri, will open the conference with a discussion of how libraries can build adaptable organizations while staying grounded in their core mission and values. Drawing on experiences from Mizzou Libraries, Caltech, NYU, and collaborative efforts across Missouri and beyond, Whatley will share practical ideas for fostering innovation, empowering staff, and strengthening community partnerships.
2 p.m. Closing Keynote - Developing Flexible Leadership Skills – Preparing for What's Ahead and Around the Corner
To close the day, Gretchen Pruett, former Director of the New Braunfels Public Library and current Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Computing, will explore how library professionals can develop the skills needed to anticipate and respond to change. Drawing on more than three decades of public library leadership experience, Pruett will discuss how to recognize emerging trends, identify leading indicators, and position libraries to thrive in a rapidly evolving environment.
The conference will also feature concurrent sessions from library professionals sharing innovative approaches to staffing, funding, training, and community engagement. Whether you're a library leader, frontline staff member, or simply interested in new ways to navigate change, The Flexible Library offers practical ideas and inspiration for today's evolving library landscape.
Register today and learn how libraries are turning flexibility into opportunity.