The Â鶹APP is partnering with Simmons University’s School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) to create a faster, more affordable pathway for Maine students to earn a Master of Library and Information Science degree.

The new agreement allows UMA students working toward a bachelor’s degree in Information and Library Science to apply to Simmons through a simplified process that waives the application fee. Students admitted to the master’s program will receive credit for two graduate courses, reducing the total number of courses needed for the degree to ten. They can also take up to two Simmons graduate courses at a 50 percent discount while completing their undergraduate studies at UMA.

Once students finish their UMA degree, they may choose to complete the Simmons master’s program either online or in person in Boston. Simmons offers several nationally recognized areas of study, including Archives Management, Cultural Heritage Informatics, Information Science and Technology, Libraries and Librarianship, and School Library Teacher. UMA graduates can also apply to Simmons dual-degree programs that combine Library and Information Science with Children’s Literature or History.

“UMA is proud to partner with Simmons University to expand high-quality pathways into library and information science,” said UMA President Jenifer Cushman. “This collaboration opens doors for Maine students and working adults to advance their education close to home while connecting with a nationally respected program. It strengthens the talent pipeline for libraries and community institutions across our state.”

At Simmons, students will receive academic advising and support services to help them reach their educational and career goals. Professor and Associate Dean of SLIS Laura Saunders said the initiative helps remove barriers to the profession. “This partnership offers students increased career opportunities by offering an accelerated master of library and information science made possible by the students’ strong foundation from their bachelor of library science program at UMA. We at SLIS are so excited to be working with the Â鶹APP and look forward to welcoming their graduates into our program.”

Sanda Erdelez, dean of the School of Library and Information Science at Simmons, added that the partnership reflects shared values. “At Simmons SLIS, we are committed to expanding access and affordability in graduate education. This partnership with UMA offers students a faster and more cost-effective path to the professional degree that will launch their careers in library and information science.”

Jodi Kosakowski, coordinator and professor of Â鶹APP Information and Library Science program, noted that many UMA graduates have gone on to study at Simmons. “This partnership creates a natural bridge for our students to continue their education and prepare for meaningful careers serving communities through libraries and information organizations,” she said.

Learn more about the Accelerated Bachelor to Master’s Pathway in Library and Information Science.

The Â鶹APP is partnering with Simmons University’s School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) to create a faster, more affordable pathway for Maine students to earn a Master of Library and Information Science degree.

The new agreement allows UMA students working toward a bachelor’s degree in Information and Library Science to apply to Simmons through a simplified process that waives the application fee. Students admitted to the master’s program will receive credit for two graduate courses, reducing the total number of courses needed for the degree to ten. They can also take up to two Simmons graduate courses at a 50 percent discount while completing their undergraduate studies at UMA.

Once students finish their UMA degree, they may choose to complete the Simmons master’s program either online or in person in Boston. Simmons offers several nationally recognized areas of study, including Archives Management, Cultural Heritage Informatics, Information Science and Technology, Libraries and Librarianship, and School Library Teacher. UMA graduates can also apply to Simmons dual-degree programs that combine Library and Information Science with Children’s Literature or History.

“UMA is proud to partner with Simmons University to expand high-quality pathways into library and information science,” said UMA President Jenifer Cushman. “This collaboration opens doors for Maine students and working adults to advance their education close to home while connecting with a nationally respected program. It strengthens the talent pipeline for libraries and community institutions across our state.”

At Simmons, students will receive academic advising and support services to help them reach their educational and career goals. Professor and Associate Dean of SLIS Laura Saunders said the initiative helps remove barriers to the profession. “This partnership offers students increased career opportunities by offering an accelerated master of library and information science made possible by the students’ strong foundation from their bachelor of library science program at UMA. We at SLIS are so excited to be working with the Â鶹APP and look forward to welcoming their graduates into our program.”

Sanda Erdelez, dean of the School of Library and Information Science at Simmons, added that the partnership reflects shared values. “At Simmons SLIS, we are committed to expanding access and affordability in graduate education. This partnership with UMA offers students a faster and more cost-effective path to the professional degree that will launch their careers in library and information science.”

Jodi Kosakowski, coordinator and professor of Â鶹APP Information and Library Science program, noted that many UMA graduates have gone on to study at Simmons. “This partnership creates a natural bridge for our students to continue their education and prepare for meaningful careers serving communities through libraries and information organizations,” she said.

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The webinar was sponsored by the Association of College and Research Libraries, Committee on Library Staff Education and discussed the importance of developing formal articulation agreements between institutions to create visible career pathways in support of students reaching their educational and professional career goals.

The UMA 2022-2023 Scholarship application is open now with a deadline of March 31, 2022.

Applicants will be evaluated on academic achievement, leadership, and community and/or campus service.

Steps to Apply

1. Submit the online form available on the Scholarships webpage.
2. Attach resume and cover letter containing a personal statement as to why the applicant feels they should be considered for a scholarship.

Details

• Scholarships based on financial eligibility require the student to submit their by UMA’s preferred filing deadline of March 1, 2022.
• All Scholarships require a minimum academic cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
• Scholarship awardees will be notified no later than May 1, 2022.
• Students graduating in Summer 2022 or Fall 2022 are NOT eligible for these scholarships.

Questions?

Contact UMA Student Financial Services at umafa@maine.edu.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services has announced that RSU 63 is the recipient of a federal grant that focuses on assisting rural libraries and the communities they serve. The grant award of $49,711 will be used over the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years. The proposal, co-written by Michelle Wright Hardy, titled “Integrating Literacy and Life Skills in our Libraries” concentrates on providing essential library services and programs for RSU 63 students at Eddingtion Elementary, Holden Elementary, and Holbrook Middle Schools through trained library staff and welcoming, effective, user-friendly libraries.

Read the full announcement at .

Discover Your World: An Interactive Workshop for Caregivers, Educators & Librarians and anyone who works with children will be held on Wednesday, June 26th from 5-7 pm in the community room at Lithgow Library at 45 Winthrop Street, Augusta.

Author and former teacherĚýĚýwill introduce her nonfiction illustrated books exploring global cultures through the lens of human commonalities: walls, immigrant stories, traditions for welcoming babies, and the daily life of children.

This workshop is free and open to the public, butĚýspace is limited and pre-registration is required by June 21.ĚýParticipants will receive free, autographed books and dinner will be provided.

Please contact the Lithgow Library at (207) 626-2415 to save your space.ĚýFor questions on the workshop, contact Pat Clark at (207) 685-4101. This event is sponsored by theĚýÂ鶹APP Diversity Committee.

Right on the heels of her UMA graduation in 2013, she was hired as a Library Technician II at PCC and began working under her previous library tech instructor and the PCC Library Director. That director soon retired and with her newly minted MLIS from San Jose State University (SJSU), Chris was selected as the lucky candidate to fill the director’s position in 2016. Three years later, she still feels incredibly fortunate to be the director in a beautiful academic library with a dream library team of three full-time employees and seven student employees.

Chris is the daughter of octogenarians (Mom’s 86 & Dad’s 88), the mother of three children, grandmother of four, and has been married to the love of her life for 32 years. She lives in beautiful Southern Colorado, where she can see 180 degrees of mountain views from her back patio and counts her many blessings every day.

He is the Library Assistant 1 in charge of Youth Services for the Yuma County Library District at its Foothills branch. He has been instrumental in creating and implementing many popular programs, including the District’s new winter reading program, sensory storytimes, and the Harry Potter Book Night program that brought in 776 Potter fans to take over the library and enjoy wizard-themed programming.

In 2018, Christopher helped author an LSTA grant proposal for a special needs resource center and assistive tech for two of the branches in the district. Over $30,000 was awarded for these efforts.

Harry Potter Book Night Program