Overview
Beta Phi Mu, the library and information studies honor society, was founded at the University of Illinois in August, 1948 by a group of leading librarians and library educators to recognize and encourage scholastic achievement among library and information studies students.

In 1969, Beta Phi Mu was formally admitted to membership in the Association of College Honor Societies. In 1997, Beta Phi Mu became affiliated with the American Library Association.

Our motto, Aliss inserviendo consumor, meaning "Consumed in the service of others" was selected by the founders based on the concept of dedication of librarians and other information professionals to the service of others.

Beta Phi Mu website http://www.beta-phi-mu.org/

Beta Epsilon Chapter (1973– present)
The Beta Phi Mu chapter at Emporia State University, School of Library and Information Management, is known as “Beta Epsilon”. The purpose of this chapter is to recognize high scholarship in the study of librarianship, and to sponsor appropriate professional and scholarly projects.

Membership
Over 28,000 graduate of accredited library and information studies programs in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom have been initiated into Beta Phi Mu.

Regular membership, including the privileges of voting, holding office, and chapter affiliation, shall be granted to candidates at any college or university where the American Library Association has accredited a professional degree program, all other programs offered under the direction of the same faculty, and who fulfill the following requirements:

Either...

Each chapter is allowed to invite no more than twenty-five percent of the annual graduating class.  Invitations to membership are based upon academic eligibility and a faculty assessment of candidates' professional leadership potential.  There is not an application process and there is no time limit for acceptance of invitation.

Dues
Each initiate into regular membership shall pay to the Treasurer as a condition of initiation a fee in an amount determined by the Executive Board. Currently that fee is $100. Local chapter dues are free for the first year. After the first year to be a member in good standing, $10 dues must be paid each year in April to the chapter Treasurer. Or, initiates and/or members may pay one-time life membership dues of $100. Checks for chapter dues should be written separately from initiation fee checks. All checks should be mailed to the Beta Epsilon Chapter treasurer and payable to Beta Phi Mu.

Sarah R. Reed Beta Epsilon Chapter Scholarship
Donations in any amount are always welcomed and accepted. Please send donations to: School of Library and Information Management, Campus Box 4025, Emporia State University, 1200 Commercial, Emporia, KS 66801-5087. Please clearly indicate scholarship name on your check.

The Sarah R. Reed Beta Epsilon Chapter Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 is awarded annually to outstanding Master of Library Science student(s) who demonstrate(s) scholarly achievement (a minimum 3.5 Grade Point Average and 1000 Graduate Record Examination score), academic and technical abilities, accomplishments, and professional promise.

Achievement Awards in the amount of $100 are also given to outstanding Master of Library Science graduates.

Sarah R. Reed Beta Epsilon Chapter Scholarship Awards ($1,000)
1997-98 Edward White
1998-99 Caroline Capps
1999-00 Mira Greene
2000-01 Jenel Farrell
2001-02 Todd Hannon
2002-03 Andrew Evans, Dorothy Ormes*, Julie Vignoul*
2003-04 Kristine Kramer
2004-05 Holly Campbell-Polivka
2005-06 Erica Marie Schaapveld
2006-07 Lisa Dewane
2007-08 Stratton Green

*School of Library and Information Management, Beta Phi Mu Centennial Scholarship Award

Dr. Robert Grover, Retirement Tribute

Beta Epsilon Newsletter
Volume 1:1 (336KB PDF)

Beta Epsilon Newsletter
Volume 1:2 (306KB PDF)

Beta Epsilon Newsletter
Volume 1:3 (646KB PDF)

Beta Epsilon Newsletter

Volume 1:4 (314KB PDF)

Beta Epsilon Officers (2008-10)

Beta Phi Mu, Beta Epsilon Chapter Calendar of Upcoming Activities

2006 Tri-Conference Beta Phi Mu Session

April 5 - 3:00 - 4:50 - Beta Phi Mu Program, Business Meeting and Initiation

The Beta Phi Mu Program this year will feature author Lisa Heitz, who is the author of HAUNTED KANSAS. She will present a lively talk on hauntings around Kansas and local places that have reported spook lights, poltergeists, and restless spirits. Her talk will be enhanced with slides. Everyone is invited to this delightful presentation! There will be a Beta Phi Mu business meeting and our initiation after this presentation.

2005 Tri-Conference Beta Phi Mu Session

Tri-Conference, 2005, will held at the Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, Kansas.  The Beta Phi Mu session is scheduled for Thursday, March 31, 2005,  4:00-4:50 p.m. This session will feature Dr. Carmaletta Williams, guest speaker, and will include a brief board meeting, and new member initiation.  Please plan to attend.

Dr. Williams will present "Free Did Not Mean Welcome" about the establishment of Kansas as a free state and the role that African Americans played.  

Dr. Williams' biographical statement:
Carmaletta M. Williams is a Professor of English at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas.  She has earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a doctorate from the University of Kansas. She has won a number of distinguished teaching awards including the Burlington Northern-Sante Fe Faculty Achievement Award, two Distinguished Service Awards from Johnson County Community College, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching’s Kansas Professor of the Year, and the League for Innovation’s Innovation of the Year award for her videotape entitled: “Sankofa: My Journey Home,” about her Fulbright-Hays Award study in Ghana, West Africa. Dr. Williams traveled to Guinea, West Africa where she established a faculty exchange between L’Ecole Nationale de Poste et Telecommunications and Johnson County Community College. She recently spent a month in South Africa interviewing citizens about their experiences during and post-apartheid.