Beta Phi Mu
Encyclopedia
Beta Phi Mu 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.
, 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.
-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.
Honor society
In the United States, an honor society is a rank organization that recognizes excellence among peers. Numerous societies recognize various fields and circumstances. The Order of the Arrow, for example, is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America...
for library & information 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...
and information technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
. 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.
Motto and insignia
Aliis inserviendo consumor serves as the society's motto; translated from the LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, 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
Dolphin
Dolphins are marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. There are almost forty species of dolphin in 17 genera. They vary in size from and , up to and . They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating...
and anchor
Anchor
An anchor is a device, normally made of metal, that is used to connect a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the vessel from drifting due to wind or current. The word derives from Latin ancora, which itself comes from the Greek ἄγκυρα .Anchors can either be temporary or permanent...
, the mark of Venetian printer Aldus Manutius
Aldus Manutius
Aldus Pius Manutius , the Latinised name of Aldo Manuzio —sometimes called Aldus Manutius, the Elder to distinguish him from his grandson, Aldus Manutius, the Younger—was an Italian humanist who became a printer and publisher when he founded the Aldine Press at Venice.His publishing legacy includes...
serves as the society's insignia, appearing on various pins, buttons, and similar memorabilia. The society's colors, as signified on honor cords
Honor cords
An Honor Cord is a token consisting of twisted cords with tassels on either end awarded to members of honor societies or for various academic and non-academic achievements, awards, or honors. Usually, cords come in pairs with a knot in the middle to hold them together. Sometimes sashes, stoles,...
, are purple and white.
Membership
Eligibility for membership in Beta Phi Mu is by invitation of the faculty from an ALAAmerican Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
-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-ChampaignUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignThe University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
- 1949 - first initiation is held at Illinois
- 1952 - begins publication of its chapbookChapbookA chapbook is a pocket-sized booklet. The term chap-book was formalized by bibliophiles of the 19th century, as a variety of ephemera , popular or folk literature. It includes many kinds of printed material such as pamphlets, political and religious tracts, nursery rhymes, poetry, folk tales,...
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 AssociationAmerican Library AssociationThe American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
- 1959 - Pi Lambda SigmaPi Lambda SigmaPi Lambda Sigma was the first library science honor society in the United States.Founded at Syracuse University in 1903, it merged with Beta Phi Mu in 1959....
merges with, and becomes a chapter of, Beta Phi Mu - 1969 - Beta Phi Mu admitted to the Association of College Honor SocietiesAssociation of College Honor SocietiesThe Association of College Honor Societies , founded in 1925, is a predominantly American organization that serves a number of functions with respect to national collegiate and post-graduate honor societies...
- 1989 - begins publication of its monographMonographA monograph is a work of writing upon a single subject, usually by a single author.It is often a scholarly essay or learned treatise, and may be released in the manner of a book or journal article. It is by definition a single document that forms a complete text in itself...
series (successor to the chapbook series) - 1998 - the society becomes an affiliate of the American Library AssociationAmerican Library AssociationThe American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
External links
- Beta Phi Mu official website
- Association of College Honor Societies: Beta Phi Mu