Beta Phi Mu Rating, Reviews and Requirements. Is it worth it?
What are the requirements to be in Beta Phi Mu?
Regular membership, including the privileges of voting, holding office, and chapter affiliation, is extended by invitation only to candidates at any college or university where the American Library Association or other recognized accrediting agency approved by the Beta Phi Mu Executive Board has accredited or recognized a professional degree program, all other programs offered under the direction of the same faculty, and who fulfill the following requirements:
- Completion of ALL requirements leading to a master’s degree with a scholastic average of no lower than 3.75 where A equals 4.0, or
- Completion of planned programs of advanced study beyond the master’s degree which require full time study for one or more academic years with a scholastic average of 3.75 where A equals 4.0.
- Each program may invite no more than thirty-five percent (35%) of the annual graduating class.
What is the history of Beta Phi Mu?
Beta Phi Mu was founded in 1948 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by a group of leading librarians and library educators. It was established to recognize and encourage scholastic achievement among library and information studies students.
In 1998, Beta Phi Mu became an official affiliate of the American Library Association, the leading professional organization for librarians. Beta Phi Mu's headquarters and business office are currently in Philadelphia, PA. Its archival collection is maintained at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign archives.
What are the key benefits of being a member of Beta Phi Mu?
- Recognition
- Opportunities
- Publishing opportunities
- Discounts on Scholars Series book purchases
- Continuing Education Discount.
- Scholarships. Beta Phi Mu members may be eligible for other scholarships and awards: the Harold Lancour Foreign Research Fellowship, for a librarian conducting research outside of Canada/USA, and the Eugene Garfield Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships, for doctoral students who are working on their dissertations in LIS and related fields.
- Beta Phi Mu Merchandise
Based on the information, here is our review:
Our first observation is: This seems to be a society strictly geared towards people pursuing their Master’s in Librarian Sciences, while most other honor societies seem gear more towards undergrad.
Our second observation was: The fact that this society was formed in 1948, when Information Sciences was still a relatively new field, shows how progressive it’s earliest leaders were.
Our third observation was: Other than recognition and opportunities, the society does not offer much in terms of discounts or benefits that can help students in the present day (whereas they offer many benefits for post-grad success!)
