About the Information & Library Science Program
Bachelor of Science (120 credits)
Associate of Science (68 credits)
Certificate (24 credits)
For more information, see the ILS Program Details.
The UMA ILS program is certified by the Library Support Staff Certification Program sponsored by the ALA. The American Library Association’s Allied Professional Association(ALA-APA) recognizes the courses in our programs (Certificate, Associate, and Bachelor’s) as meeting the competencies needed to be strong information professionals in our modern world. For more information, please see the LSSC homepage. Their FAQ page contains some very useful information for students interested in this project.
UMA and its programs are also accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Job markets vary from region to region, but anyone who monitors listservs and job boards can tell you, there are many jobs at all levels in libraries. If you want to know the job market is like in your state it is recommended you check your state library association website for jobline postings. This will give you an idea of qualifications and other important traits employers are looking for.
We, in the ILS program at UMA use the term library information science professionals to describe our students and their work in libraries.
Library support staff, technicians and paraprofessionals, work alongside librarians providing access and services to library patrons. A professional librarian has a Master’s degree in Library Science (MLS) or Library and Information Studies (MLIS). The difference between professional and paraprofessional work varies by library. For example, some libraries save all “ready reference” questions for the professional staff; others involve paraprofessionals with these inquiries.
About Online Learning
No, the ILS program is available asynchronously and completely online. We have students in our program from around the United States and internationally. More about UMA Online.
Of course, we’d be happy for you to come visit and march at Graduation, or visit us if you vacation in Maine. Just give the ILS office a call or email lnitcoord@maine.edu and let them know when you might stop by campus 1-877-UMA-1234 ext 3341.
Connect to UMA Online to learn more about online education at UMA.
Familiarity with e-mail, Internet and word processing are important to taking classes. If you are new to computers, or have little experience, don’t worry, support is available to help get you started. One of the goals of the ILS program is to familiarize you with tools common in today’s libraries.
See the Online Information & Glossary.
[Online – Classes will be conducted entirely online through Brightspace (asynchronous) and digital course materials, such as video lectures, readings, discussion boards, etc. Students will not attend a scheduled class session at a UMA location or through Zoom.]About UMA
See all of UMA’s Locations in Maine and Online.
Yes. Visit Financial Services to learn more.
You can receive financial aid from UMA, and you can receive financial aid at another school, but NOT at the same time.
Students can either sign up with UMA and take all their courses with us, or (working with the ILS office) take their general education requirements elsewhere and receive financial aid through that institution, and then apply to UMA to receive financial aid for the courses through UMA.
More about Financial Aid at UMA.
Yes, many students transfer credits to UMA. All prior transcripts will be evaluated when a student is admitted to the ILS program. See Transfer Credits and Prior Learning Assessments.
If you have more questions, please call or write Jodi Kosakowski, 1-877-UMA-1234 x3341 or e-mail, lnitcoord@maine.edu.