Beta Phi Mu
Beta Phi Mu (also ΒΦΜ or βφμ) is the international honor society for library & information science and information technology. Founded by a group of librarians and library educators, the society's express purpose is to recognize and encourage "superior academic achievement" among library and information studies students. Beta Phi Mu now has 39 active chapters in the U.S. and abroad, continues to sponsor various publications and funds several scholarships.[1] The society's name comes from the initials in the Greek phrase "Bibliothekarios philax mathesis," meaning "librarians are the guardians of knowledge." [2]
Motto and insignia
Aliis inserviendo consumor serves as the society's motto; translated from the Latin, it means "consumed in the service of others." Members of the society—librarians and other information professionals—dedicate themselves to serving the information needs of individuals, organizations, and communities.
A dolphin and anchor, the mark of Venetian printer Aldus Manutius, serves as the society's insignia, appearing on various pins, buttons, and similar memorabilia. The society's colors, as signified on honor cords, are purple and white.
Membership
Eligibility for membership in Beta Phi Mu is by invitation of the faculty from an ALA-accredited professional degree program. Invitations are extended only to individuals who complete the requirements for a master's degree and achieve at least a 3.75 (out of 4.0) GPA; invitations are further limited to a maximum of 25% of any given graduating class. Each eligible candidate must also be recommended for election by the faculty of the candidate’s school.
Notable dates
- 1948 – founding of Beta Phi Mu at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign[3]
- 1949 – first initiation is held at Illinois
- 1953 – begins publication of its chapbook series
- 1954 – presents its first Distinguished Service to Library Education Award
- 1956 – the Distinguished Service to Library Education Award becomes an official award of the American Library Association[4][5]
- 1959 – Pi Lambda Sigma, founded in 1903, merges with and becomes a chapter of Beta Phi Mu[6][7]
- 1969 – Beta Phi Mu admitted to the Association of College Honor Societies[4]
- 1986 – begins publication of its monograph series (successor to the chapbook series)
- 1998 – the society becomes an affiliate of the American Library Association[8]
- 2015 - begins publication of its Scholars Series (successor to the monograph series)
Beta Phi Mu Award
The Beta Phi Mu Award is an annual award to a library school faculty member or to an individual for distinguished service to education for librarianship. The first award was made in 1954 to Rudolph Hjalmar Gjelsness Dean of the University of Michigan's Library Science Department from 1940 to 1964.
Notes
- ↑ "Beta Phi Mu: Scholarships, Fellowships, & Awards". Beta Phi Mu. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- ↑ "Beta Phi Mu: About Us". Beta Phi Mu. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ↑ "History of Beta Phi Mu". Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. July 2000. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- 1 2 "Beta Phi Mu: Library & Information Studies and Information Technology". Association for College Honor Societies. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- ↑ "American Library Association: Beta Phi Mu Award". American Library Association. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- ↑ "About Pi Lambda Sigma". Beta Phi Mu, Pi Lambda Sigma Chapter, Syracuse University. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- ↑ Special Libraries, October 1959 (vol 50, no 8), p. 402.
- ↑ "American Library Association: Affiliates: Beta Phi Mu". American Library Association. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
External links
- Beta Phi Mu official website
- Association of College Honor Societies: Beta Phi Mu