About the Program

A collaborative degree between the University of Maine, the University of Maine Farmington, and the University of Southern Maine.

The Graduate Certificate in Library and Media Specialist is a 100% online program preparing teachers, educational leaders, and resource specialists to facilitate and advocate for equitable access to information for all students. Aligning to the current standards for school librarianship by the American Library Association and the American Association for School Librarians, this program develops the knowledge and skills to manage school libraries and information services. Students in this program also learn how to:

• Become an effective educator of learning in the digital age including instruction, assessment, and curriculum development
• Demonstrate efficient and ethical information-seeking behavior and teach this behavior to students
• Apply theories of Library Information Science to school libraries including teaching, management, and leadership
• Strategically plan, facilitate and advocate for flexible, open access to library resources and services
• Be an ethical, forward-thinking leader in the field of education and in school libraries

Online and Engaged

All programs offered through the collaborative Instructional Technology programs are 100% online. As a faculty team, we have designed the courses to expect a high level of interaction and participation in an ongoing format. Many of our courses utilize synchronous video-conferencing sessions to encourage collaboration, discussion, and peer networking. We value the diverse backgrounds of the students in the program and encourage dynamic discussion and peer feedback from these various perspectives to enrich the learning experience. We expect consistent engagement with current research, course readings, and online materials, and clear communication with the faculty member.

Our curriculum covers the principles and processes of successfully managing a school library including management, program development, and evaluation of contemporary school libraries.

We have rolling admissions so you can apply and be accepted into the program at any time. We recommend speaking with an advisor about program requirements and the admissions process before applying to the program.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of librarians and library media specialists is projected to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030 with about 15,200 openings per year. The median annual wage for librarians and library media specialists was $60,820 in May 2020, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $41,950.

Those who can benefit from this program are:

• Current classroom teachers who would like to add a school library endorsement
• Current paraprofessionals working in school libraries who would like to become certified school librarians
• New educators interested in a career in school libraries

Our collaborative model expands access to the best faculty from 3 campuses – the University of Maine, the University of Maine Farmington, and the University of Southern Maine. You’ll learn from faculty who are experienced in using technology to transform learning and are passionate about online education.

• Graduate Catalog
• Bursar’s Office (for Billing Questions)
• Bookstore (to search for textbooks)