This is interesting:  scaling up of consortia (for greater effectiveness,
leverage, and efficiency) continues:

January 31, 2012
For Immediate Release

Amigos Library Services and Missouri Library Network Corporation
Announce Agreement to Explore Merger

Combination Will Create One of the Nation’s Largest Library Service
Organizations

Dallas, TX — Amigos Library Services, a leading library membership
organization based in Dallas, and the Missouri Library Network
Corporation (MLNC), a similar St. Louis-based library membership
organization, today announced that they have entered into a working
agreement to explore merging operations. If the organizations merge,
Amigos will be the largest library consortium west of the Mississippi
River, comprised of approximately 1,000 libraries and cultural
heritage institutions in 22 states.

Following lengthy exploratory discussions, members of the Boards of
Directors of Amigos and MLNC have both unanimously approved a working
agreement as the definitive guideline for further activities leading
to merger. Member votes on the merger are scheduled for mid-April and
early May. Pending member approval, the merger will be completed July
1, 2012.

Both networks bring unique services of interest to a larger member
base and both have strong continuing education programs to share.
Current MLNC and Amigos members will benefit from increased ability to
leverage library resources for purchasing thousands of library
products and services from leading providers.

“I am excited because a merger will enhance services to the collective
membership,” said Bonnie Juergens, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Amigos. “It will expand resource-sharing opportunities for
both member communities and strengthen our ability to provide current
and new services into the future.”

Tracy Rochow Byerly, Executive Director of MLNC, commented “I couldn’t
be more pleased about this announcement! The prime motivation of the
MLNC Board has been to meet the needs of MLNC’s members and fulfill
our mission. The Board conducted a thorough analysis of options and
concluded that this merger will help MLNC achieve that goal.”

About Missouri Library Network Corporation: The mission of MLNC is to
organize and deliver to its member libraries and other contracting
entities electronic services and content, and provide training in the
management and use of information. Founded in 1981 to serve the needs
of Missouri libraries, MLNC has grown to serve the needs of over 300
members in the Midwest region.

Known for excellent customer service, flexibility and solutions that
save members time and money, MLNC has shown itself to be an agile
organization in a changing world. Members utilize the many continuing
education opportunities; turn to MLNC for help in implementing change;
and have supported the organization’s move into association management
services.

About Amigos Library Services

For more than 35 years, Amigos Library Services has helped members
obtain affordable services and share library resources and knowledge.
With over 600 members, Amigos is one of the largest consortia of
libraries and cultural heritage institutions in the United States.
Membership in Amigos helps libraries gain access to the latest
innovations and services in the library community; pursue
opportunities for continuing professional education; leverage buying
power; and preserve the region’s rich cultural heritage. This
collaboration strengthens each member’s ability to serve and lead its
community in the creative and effective use of information resources.

For information about the Amigos/MLNC merger exploration, contact Dr.
Anne Prestamo, Chair of Amigos ([log in to unmask]); Dr. Sharon
Bostick, President of MLNC ([log in to unmask]); Bonnie Juergens,
President and CEO of Amigos ([log in to unmask]), or Tracy Rochow
Byerly, Executive Director of MLNC ([log in to unmask]