Mission
Amigos Library Services supports libraries through the sharing of collections, services, and opportunities.
Vision
A vibrant, member-led community of libraries designing successful futures.
Strategic Directions
Organizational goals for membership year 2026-27 are included below. Progress toward these goals will be communicated to membership, including at the Annual Membership Meeting.
Access to Innovation
Amigos was founded to support libraries working together to provide greater access to collections. In this changing environment, Amigos will provide an access point for innovation, identifying new opportunities for resource sharing, program and service development, and technology solutions.
- Develop and implement a lendable collection of programming materials and other resources that TAE libraries may borrow and share through the courier service.
- Expand Amigos' Digital Repository Service to support a wider range of organizations.
- Launch an events and rooms management service for public libraries.
Connection to Growth
Amigos provides a venue for academic, public, and special libraries from different states to connect and work together. Through this connection, libraries will grow – better understanding the issues facing our communities, sharing best practices, and developing leaders and experts at every level of the library.
- Design and facilitate an online community of practice (CoP) focused on digital accessibility, laying a foundation for future CoPs responsive to member interest.
- Introduce a new learning model built around a dedicated group of participants moving through an extended curriculum together, leveraging peer interaction and practical application in their libraries.
- Provide an expanded schedule of in-person learning opportunities across the Amigos region.
Contribution to Value
Amigos members contribute to an overall goal, collectively scaling libraries as trusted stewards of their communities’ resources and investments. Amigos will ensure that all libraries are invited into our collective work and that, through their participation in resource sharing, group purchasing, continuing education, and the co-development of future programs and services, libraries will experience increased capacity and long-term value for their users.
- Initiate a new shared electronic collections program, providing digital content shared across member libraries.
- Provide regular outreach to non-member academic and public libraries within Amigos’ seven core states, promoting the value of Amigos and seeking opportunities to collaborate.
- Welcome all new and returning members, meeting with the library’s director/dean to review Amigos’ programs and services and discuss the library’s goals and priorities.
Commitment to Service
Amigos invests in its operations and efficiently shapes its organization to the current and emerging needs of its members. Amigos will aim to be affordable, sustainable, and responsive to member needs and interests.
- Extend single sign-on (SSO) architecture to additional member facing platforms, establishing a consistent and secure authentication experience for member library staff accessing Amigos services.
- Streamline and modernize conference support for partner associations, with a focus on conference registration and event credentials.
- Support partner associations with a centralized digital environment for document management and role-based access for member leaders, ensuring effective knowledge transfer, streamlined communication, and long-term sustainability for current and future board members and committees.