Library & Information Services Degree Program Overview

“When I transferred to UMA I was completely disheartened with college. I was about to give up all together. I felt alone in this processes like no one cared whether I passed or even if I existed. You have rekindled my faith in the higher education system.”
~Jennifer, Class of '07

“As you know I have been to lots of ‘bricks and mortar’ schools and not one of them can compare to the support I felt I got at UMA. I felt more connected here than any school I actually was physically present at.”
~Pam M. Class of ‘06

“While I am a distance education student (from really far away) the UMA team has always made me feel like I lived just next door!”
~Linda, West Africa,
Class of ‘05 

The University of Maine at Augusta's (UMA) distance learning program in Information and Library Services engages students from around the world to learn, discuss, and share experiences, and ideas about libraries and working in libraries. The programs are designed to provide students with paraprofessional skills essential to supporting the effective functioning of libraries and other information intensive organizations and to prepare them for a career as a Library and Information Assistant/Technician.

UMA's library program is available at a distance for those with Internet access. Donna Bancroft, one of the instructors for the program finds that, "our online students, with their broad and varied experiences enrich the classroom discussions, particularly our international students".

Students at UMA in the Library program realize that "at-a-distance" is only a geographic descriptor. While our students are dispersed around the world, there is a connection they feel toward their instructors, their classmates and toward the content of their courses. A student in California noted, "It is nice to have instructors who not only know their subjects well, but also know how to mentor/coach students in the right direction."

UMA's unique program allows students to enroll for classes and work toward a Certificate, Associate or Bachelor degree. Each of these program offerings build into each other so that students may start with the Certificate, and upon completion then work toward the Associates, and then the Bachelor’s applying their classes toward the next level. Also, students in the Library and Information Service program pay in-state tuition rate for all courses with an ILS prefix. Students may begin taking ILS courses before applying to the university. In fact, if a student has never taken an online course, we recommend they take a couple of courses before applying to make sure that the student can be successful in an online environment.

Students completing the BS in L&IS will be prepared to enter the field of library and information services as specialized paraprofessionals, able to work independently in many settings. For more information on career opportunities in Library and Information Services see From College to Career in Library and Information Services.