Viewpoint from the Chair - September, 2013

- Oliver Delaney, Chair, Amigos Board of Directors

In my initial column as Chair of Amigos Library Services, I want to thank my fellow Board Members for the faith they've shown in me by selecting me to lead Amigos. The choice of an independent Director like me to lead this great library organization is particularly gratifying, and I pledge to do my best to carry on the legacy of excellent leadership Amigos Members have come to expect. I have high hopes for the year ahead.

In particular, I am excited about a project that holds much promise for Amigos Members. I refer to the e-book distribution platform pilot project in development under the direction of Christine Peterson. As you may be aware from previous Amigos communications, the goal of this project is the creation of an e-book distribution platform to be operated by Amigos as a service for Amigos Members. When the service is fully operational, e-books and other content will be accessible by the patrons of participating Amigos Members in multiple ways. We will negotiate with publishers to provide libraries with purchased e-books as well as leased, free, and locally-developed content.

We were pleased earlier this year to receive major funding for this project from the federal government's Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC). Such funding, no matter its size, demonstrates that these organizations believe in this project and its potential benefits for libraries and their patrons.

As we move forward through the project, we'll keep you apprised of our progress through regular communications in AmigosNow, on Facebook, and Twitter. An article in this issue of ¿QuePasa? discusses the project in greater detail. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Christine, who is also looking for folks to serve on various project advisory groups.

The e-book pilot project, along with other endeavors we're exploring, make it an exciting time to be your Board Chair. Thanks again for the opportunity.