ATLAS
Area Training for Libraries and Staff
Networking Opportunities
Membership
ATLAS is an independent organization of public libraries in northeastern Illinois.
All RAILS public libraries are invited to join. Membership is by institution and allows your staff to attend events at a discounted rate.
Most meetings and workshops will take place at public libraries in the south/southwest suburbs of Chicago. Please take into consideration the distance you may need to travel to attend our meetings.
Membership benefits include:
ATLAS History
ATLAS (Area Training for Library Administrators and Staff) was officially inaugurated in September, 2011, by adopting a set of bylaws.
It grew out of Project Phoenix, a task force for the succession of continuing education for library staff when the Metropolitan Library System ran out of funding in 2008. Its predecessor, Zones 8 & 9, had a long history of joint programming and training.
ATLAS provides continuing education opportunities for all staff levels, from front line through administration as well as annual library trustee training. ATLAS also facilitates special projects such as geocaching in the summer and a directors’ discussion group on a monthly basis. ATLAS applied for and received an FEIN in the fall of 2013. ATLAS continues to develop with a growing membership.
Meet the Current Board
Sarah Cottonaro, President
Director, Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library District
(708) 371-5666 | scottonaro@alsiplibrary.info
Christyn Rayford, Vice-President
Director, South Holland Public Library
(708)527-3104 | christyn@shlibrary.org
Jennifer Cutshall, Treasurer
Director, Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library District
(708) 755-5040 | jenny@sschlibrary.org
Roberta Richter, Secretary
Business Manager, Green Hills Public Library District
(708) 598-8446 | rrichter@greenhillslibrary.org
Mary Adamowski, Board Member
Director, Orland Park Public Library
(708) 428-5202 | madamowski@orlandparklibrary.org
Dorothy Koll, Board Member
Director, Acorn Public Library
(708) 687-3700 | dkoll@acornlibrary.org
Tim Prendergast, Board Member
Director, Hodgkins Public Library
(708) 579-1844 | tprendergast@hodgkinslibrary.org
Meeting Minutes
2022
ATLAS Board Minutes December 2022
- No meeting
ATLAS Board Minutes October 2022
- No meeting
ATLAS Board Minutes September 2022
ATLAS Board Minutes August 2022
ATLAS Board Minutes April 2022
ATLAS Board Minutes March 2022
Archived
Meeting Minutes
2015-2021
2021
ATLAS Board Minutes December 2021
- No meeting
ATLAS Board Minutes November 2021
ATLAS Board Minutes October 2021
ATLAS Board Minutes September 2021
ATLAS Board Minutes August 2021
ATLAS Board Minutes April 2021
ATLAS Board Minutes March 2021
ATLAS Board Minutes February 2021
ATLAS Board Minutes January 2021
2020
ATLAS Board Minutes October 2020
ATLAS Board Minutes September 2020
ATLAS Board Minutes August 2020
ATLAS Board Minutes March 2020
ATLAS Board Minutes January 2020
2019
ATLAS Board Minutes October 2019
ATLAS Board Minutes September 2019
ATLAS Board Minutes August 2019
ATLAS Board Minutes April 2019
ATLAS Board Minutes March 2019
ATLAS Board Minutes February 2019
ATLAS Board Minutes January 2019
2018
ATLAS Board Minutes November 2018
ATLAS Board Minutes October 2018
ATLAS Board Minutes September 2018
ATLAS Board Minutes April 2018
ATLAS Board Minutes March 2018
2017
ATLAS Board Minutes November 2017
ATLAS Board Minutes October 2017
ATLAS Board Minutes September 2017
ATLAS Board Minutes August 2017
ATLAS Board Minutes April 2017
ATLAS Board Minutes March 2017
ATLAS Board Minutes February 2017
ATLAS Board Minutes January 2017
2016
ATLAS Board Minutes November 2016
ATLAS Board Minutes October 2016
ATLAS Board Minutes September 2016
ATLAS Board Minutes August 2016
ATLAS Board Minutes April 2016
ATLAS Board Minutes March 2016
ATLAS Board Minutes February 2016
ATLAS Board Minutes January 2016
2015
ATLAS Board Minutes November 2015
ATLAS Board Minutes October 2015
ATLAS Board Minutes September 2015
ATLAS Board Minutes August 2015
ATLAS Board Minutes April 2015
ATLAS Board Minutes March 2015
Networking Opportunities
Suburban Libraries' Administrator Meeting (SLAM)
ATLAS helps coordinate a monthly networking meeting to provide an opportunity for its member library directors to network, consult, mentor, and advocate.
SLAM meets at 10:00 am on the second Thursday of the month unless otherwise noted.
*SLAM does not meeting in July or December.*
Topics include updates on local, system and state library issues, best practices, networking, and mentoring.
ATLAS Middle Managers Round Table (AMMRT)
AMMRT is a free, informal round table discussion group open to all middle managers (not just ATLAS libraries). Meetings are located at libraries in the South Suburbs. The focus at AMMRT is on issues and best practices of library middle management.
AMMRT meets from 9:30am-12:00pm on the third Friday of alternating months.
Locations are determined at the preceding meeting, and are posted on the L2 calendar.
ATLAS Business Managers Round Table
The Business Managers Round Table is a discussion group open to business managers, focusing on issues and best practices of library business management. Meetings run from 9:00-11:00am.
Network Meeting Locations
Register
Now
Upcoming
Continued Education
FALL 2023-2024
More Details will be coming Soon.
Tues. Sept. 12th, 10am-12pm
@Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library District
Frontline Staff
"Libraries for Everyone"
Click here to register on Eventbrite!
Tues. Oct. 10th, 10am - 12pm
@South Holland Public Library
Middle Management
"Moving up - Things I didn't learn"
Click Here to Register via eventbrite.
Tues. Nov. 14th, 10am - 12pm
@Orland Park Public Library
Administator's Ask an Attorney
Click Here to Register via eventbrite.
Friday, December 1, 10am - 12 pm
@ Georgios Banquets- Orland Park
Multi-Library DAY
All CE events run from 10 am to 12 pM.
$15 for members, $20 for non-members, unless noted.
Member Libraries
Acorn Public Library District
Alsip Merrionette Park Public Library District
Bartlett Public Library District
Berwyn Public Library
Blue Island Public Library
Bridgeview Public Library
Calumet City Public Library
Chicago Heights Public Library
Chicago Ridge Public Library
Crestwood Public Library
Crete Public Public Library District
Dolton Public Library District
Downers Grove Public Library
Elmwood Park Public Library
Evergreen Park Public Library
Flossmoor Public Library
Fountaindale Public Library
Frankfort Public Library District
Geneseo Public Library District
Glenwood-Lynwood Public Library District
Green Hills Public Library District
Homewood Public Library District
Joliet Public Library
Lansing Public Library
Manteno Public Library
Markham Public Library
Matteson Area Public Library District
Maywood Public Library District
McHenry Public Library District
Midlothian Public Library
Mokena Community Library District
Morris Area Public Library District
Morton Grove Public Library
Nancy L. McConathy Public Library District
New Lenox Public Library District
Oak Lawn Public Library
Oak Park Public Library
Orland Park Public Library
Palos Heights Public Library
Palos Park Public Library
Park Forest Public Library
Peotone Public Library District
Plainfield Public Library
Prairie Trails Public Library District
Richton Park Public Library District
South Holland Public Library
Steger-So. Chicago Hts Public Library District
Stickney-Forest View Public Library District
Three Rivers Public Library
Tinley Park Public Library
Warrenville Public Library District
Worth Public Library District
Contact ATLAS!
Need advice? Assistance? Have a question?
Reach out to an individual board member
or contact us @ librariesatlas@gmail.com.