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 over 45 chapters in the U.S. and abroad, continues to sponsor various publications and lectures, and funds several scholarships. [ [http://www.beta-phi-mu.org/scholarships Beta Phi Mu: Scholarships and Fellowships] ]

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.

The 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 the top 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
* 1949 - first initiation is held at Illinois
* 1952 - 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 [ [http://www.achsnatl.org/society.asp?society=bpm Association of College Honor Societies: Beta Phi Mu] ] [ [http://www.ala.org/ala/awardsbucket/betaphimuaward/betaphimuaward.cfm American Library Association: Beta Phi Mu Award] ]
* 1959 - Pi Lambda Sigma merges with, and becomes a chapter of, Beta Phi Mu [http://www.sla.org/speciallibraries/ISSN00386723V50N8.PDF "Special Libraries", October 1959 (vol 50, no 8), p. 402.] ]
* 1969 - Beta Phi Mu admitted to the Association of College Honor Societies
* 1989 - begins publication of its monograph series (successor to the chapbook series)
* 1998 - the society becomes an affiliate of the American Library Association [ [http://www.ala.org/ala/ourassociation/othergroups/affiliates/betaphimu.cfm American Library Association: Affiliates Listing] ]

External links

* [http://www.beta-phi-mu.org Beta Phi Mu] official website
* [http://www.achsnatl.org/society.asp?society=bpm Association of College Honor Societies: Beta Phi Mu]

Notes