Alpha Beta Alpha
Encyclopedia
Alpha Beta Alpha is a national honorary library fraternity
dedicated to serving college and university library science majors at the undergraduate level. The fraternity, currently at a low point, numbers 38 active members in only 1 active chapter.
. At this banquet were roughly 40 library science students, as well as a few dignitaries. Of note in attendance were Nora Buest (United States Office of Education), Sue Hefley (Louisiana State Supervisor of School Libraries), and Mary Harris (Assistant State Librarian of Louisiana). Attendees of the banquet spoke of the need for a nation-wide professional development organization geared towards library science
students.
The following year, on January 10, 1946, the Northwestern State College Library Club was founded. One year later, the name was changed to the Scharlie E. Russel Library Club which had an active four and a half year existence.
Finally, on May 3, 1950, the members of the Scharlie E. Russel Library Club founded Alpha Beta Alpha, the first co-educational library science fraternity in the United States. Two years later, on March 15 and March 16, the first Alpha Beta Alpha national convention was held at Northwestern State College of Louisiana.
. With a total of 38 active members the group holds bi-weekly meetings to discuss current events in the field of library science.
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
dedicated to serving college and university library science majors at the undergraduate level. The fraternity, currently at a low point, numbers 38 active members in only 1 active chapter.
History
Alpha Beta Alpha was founded on May 3, 1950 but its roots reach five years earlier on October 30, 1945, to a banquet hosted on the campus of Northwestern State College of Louisiana, currently known as Northwestern State University of LouisianaNorthwestern State University
Northwestern State University, known as NSU, is a four-year public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.NSU was founded in 1884 as...
. At this banquet were roughly 40 library science students, as well as a few dignitaries. Of note in attendance were Nora Buest (United States Office of Education), Sue Hefley (Louisiana State Supervisor of School Libraries), and Mary Harris (Assistant State Librarian of Louisiana). Attendees of the banquet spoke of the need for a nation-wide professional development organization geared towards library science
Library science
Library science is an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary field that applies the practices, perspectives, and tools of management, information technology, education, and other areas to libraries; the collection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information resources; and the...
students.
The following year, on January 10, 1946, the Northwestern State College Library Club was founded. One year later, the name was changed to the Scharlie E. Russel Library Club which had an active four and a half year existence.
Finally, on May 3, 1950, the members of the Scharlie E. Russel Library Club founded Alpha Beta Alpha, the first co-educational library science fraternity in the United States. Two years later, on March 15 and March 16, the first Alpha Beta Alpha national convention was held at Northwestern State College of Louisiana.
Current organization
The only current chapter of Alpha Beta Alpha is currently located at Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaKutztown University of Pennsylvania
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania , is an American public university located in rural Kutztown, Berks County, Pennsylvania and is one of fourteen schools that comprise the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary...
. With a total of 38 active members the group holds bi-weekly meetings to discuss current events in the field of library science.