Beta Phi Mu

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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.^[1]

Beta Phi Mu's insignia/logo is the dolphin and anchor, the printer's mark of Aldus Manutius, seen here on 1558 title page.

1 Motto and Insignia
2 Membership
3 Notable Dates
4 External links
5 Notes

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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^[2]^[3]
1959 - Pi Lambda Sigma merges with, and becomes a chapter of, Beta Phi Mu ^[4]
1969 - Beta Phi Mu admitted to the Association of College Honor Societies
1989 - begins publication of its monograph series (successor to the chapbook series)
1997 - the society becomes an affiliate of the American Library Association^[5]