Information & Library Science Program Overview

The University of Maine at Augusta’s (UMA) completely online program in Information & Library Science engages students from around the world to learn, discuss, and share experiences, and ideas about libraries and working in library and information agencies.

The programs (Certificate, AS and BS) are designed to provide students with the professional skills essential to supporting the effective functioning of libraries and other information intensive organizations and to prepare them for careers as information library professionals.

UMA’s ILS Program is externally certified by the American Library Associations Library Support Staff Certification Program.

The ILS program Mission and our curriculum:

• Focuses on and is community/member-centered,
• Is rich with practical, hands-on learning experiences to ground students in the important philosophies and day to day practices of libraries, information and cultural agencies.
• Involves students within the university, the department and their local communities toward active, life-long learning principles
• Engages our students in developing the knowledge, skills and confidence to enter the field of Information & Library Science as specialized information professionals prepared to work both independently and collaboratively in various settings.
• Prepares our students for pursuing higher education through graduate study and supports their continuing education at ALA-accredited Masters programs.

Program Goals

Our broader program goals provide students with competencies necessary to perform effectively, both in a supporting role and independently within information and library science settings, in the following areas:

1. Demonstrated Knowledge of Foundational Principles
2. Selecting and Evaluating Information
3. Organizing Representing Different Forms of Information
4. Analyzing & Responding to Information Inquiries
5. Teaching about Information & Related Sources
6. Managing Information and Services
7. Assessing and Using Technology
8. Engaging & Advocating in the Community

Additionally reinforcing those core skills and competencies in the following general education areas:

1. Writing skills in multiple media and formats.
2. Oral and written communication skills.
3. Quantitative skills, stressing mathematical foundations and use of logic.
4. Scientific inquiry, understanding the natural world through systematic observations and analytic reasoning.
5. Social Sciences with a focus upon social behavior.
6. Humanities, including history, philosophy and literature.
7. Fine arts, recognition, understanding, and appreciation of the arts.
8. Cultural Diversity, understand diversities within cultures, religions, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual preferences, abilities, ages and/or socioeconomic groups.
9. Computer Literacy, understand basic operations, use word processor, manage and comprehend spreadsheets, professionally present information.
10. Information Literacy determine extent of information need, access information, evaluate information, use information to accomplish a specific purpose, demonstrate ethical use of information.
11. Critical Thinking, develop well-reasoned arguments, ability to distinguish fact from opinions, demonstrate critical evaluative skills such as facts v. opinions, classify data, judge credibility, recognize assumptions, inconsistencies, detect bias, etc.
12. Ethical Reasoning, identify ethical perspectives and concepts, apply ethical perspectives and concepts to ethical questions.

Course Delivery

ILS courses are taught asynchronously via the Internet, some streamed video instruction, and computer conferencing technologies are used. Contact between faculty and students is maintained via e-mail, phone, discussion in the course management system and other technologies as parties are able to participate (video conferences through various platforms, chatting, etc.).

This distance education option includes national and international delivery. Computer use, e-mail skills, and access to Internet (high speed preferred) are required to be successful in the program. Please see the ILS Department Policies for more information and necessary access to technology to support student success.

Costs

See UMA’s Tuition and Fees page for current tuition costs.

Application and Registration

Students may apply and register by contacting the UMA Office of Admissions at 1-877-UMA-1234 (Nationwide).