ADDISON, TX, — Amigos Library Services is making a first of its kind investment in increasing the capacity of its 500+ library members by signing a multi-year partnership with talent management platform Skilltype. Skilltype will help Amigos deploy a data-driven approach to organizational development. This partnership will provide access to a pilot group of research libraries. Initial pilot participants include Baylor University, Rice University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, The University of Texas at Austin, and Washington University in St. Louis.
Every library will have its own talent dashboard in Skilltype. This includes tools for skill inventory, gap analysis, cohort training, and personalized development. Amigos, as a consortium, can now tap into networking opportunities. They can utilize the platform’s approach to share expertise across the multi-state academic library network.
“Amigos believes in the power of libraries working together and is committed to the growth and development of library staff. We are excited and honored to engage with these seven libraries and with the Skilltype team to bring this innovative platform to our community.” shares Miguel Figueroa, President and CEO of Amigos.
Amigos’ Dedication to Professional Growth and Community Collaboration
Amigos’ mission is to support libraries through the sharing of collections, services, and opportunities.They are proud to be among the nation’s largest library consortia. They offer continuing education and discounted services from top vendors. They also provide courier services, association management, and more.
Jeffry Archer, Dean of University Libraries at Baylor University says, “Overall, it’s our people in the library that are our most valuable asset. We will leverage Skilltype to assess skill gaps and find ways to fill these gaps. We must make sure that our staff then have the opportunities to grow and learn along with the changing and developing nature of libraries.”
Amigos has set clear goals and strategies. These encompass letting member voices guide programs and services. Their focus is on aligning with member needs and interests. They aim to benefit members, partners, and the broader library community. Amigos is committed to promoting member libraries and fostering staff development. They also strive to create a streamlined and efficient organization for their members and staff. In collaboration with Skilltype, Amigos will offer member institutions access to a vast database for professional development and continuous education.
“Library consortia are critical to the future of our field and profession,” says Tony Zanders, founder and CEO of Skilltype. “This first of its kind investment increases the capacity of its member libraries, both individually and collectively, creating a blueprint for how libraries navigate the talent challenges of this decade.”
About Amigos Library Services
Amigos is one of the largest consortia of libraries and cultural heritage institutions in the United States. For more than 40 years, Amigos members have collaborated to obtain affordable services and shared library resources and knowledge. Through membership in Amigos, libraries collectively gain access to the latest innovations and services in the library community; pursue opportunities for continuing professional education; and leverage their buying power. Collaboration strengthens each member’s ability to serve and lead its community in the creative and effective use of information resources. www.amigos.org.
About Skilltype
Skilltype is a library software company specializing in using data to create modern talent management workflows. Libraries across six countries use Skilltype to provide personalized training to their employees, identify skill gaps, and make data-informed decisions on whether to recruit, reskill, or share expertise. Skilltype was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.