Beta Phi Mu Membership
Please see the Membership Benefits page for information about the benefits of joining Beta Phi Mu. See also the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) page "About Certified Honor Societies." Beta Phi Mu has been a recognized member of the ACHS since 1969. We are also a formal Affiliate of the American Library Association.
There are two classes of membership in Beta Phi Mu: Regular Membership and Professional Membership. Regular Membership is extended by invitation only to soon-to-graduate or recent graduates receiving Master's degrees in Library and Information Science (MLIS) and related degree programs. Regular membership invitations may also be extended to upper-level undergraduate students in approved programs. Degreed LIS professionals who are not already Beta Phi Mu members may apply to be considered for Professional Membership. See fuller explanations of both categories below.
There are two classes of membership in Beta Phi Mu: Regular Membership and Professional Membership. Regular Membership is extended by invitation only to soon-to-graduate or recent graduates receiving Master's degrees in Library and Information Science (MLIS) and related degree programs. Regular membership invitations may also be extended to upper-level undergraduate students in approved programs. Degreed LIS professionals who are not already Beta Phi Mu members may apply to be considered for Professional Membership. See fuller explanations of both categories below.
Regular Membership
Beta Phi Mu has been recognizing the best and brightest of graduates from Library and Information Studies programs since 1948. Over 35,000 graduates of accredited Library and Information Science programs in the United States, Canada, and abroad have been initiated into Beta Phi Mu and its chapters. 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.
Membership in Beta Phi Mu, 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 or other recognized accrediting agency approved by the Beta Phi Mu Executive Board has accredited or recognized a professional degree program, or candidates from all other programs offered under the direction of the same faculty, and who fulfill the following requirements:
Graduate level:
Programs currently approved by the Beta Phi Mu Executive Board as eligible for electing new members are:
Chapter and program officials, please see the Forms page for membership forms you may provide to your nominees and the Beta Phi Mu Handbook for more information about election procedures. Contact Beta Phi Mu Headquarters if you have questions or need assistance.
Fees: There is a one-time, lifetime membership fee of US$100.00 for US members or US$115.00 for non-US members. Recognized chapters may charge an additional chapter membership fee.
*Active membership status: to maintain active membership, all members must pay the national annual fee. Only active members will have the privilege of voting, holding office, maintaining chapter affiliations, and receiving member benefits.
The national annual membership fee is $35 USD
*A one-year active membership is included in the national initiation fee of $100 USD for US members, $115 USD for non-US members, and $150 USD for professional members.
Beta Phi Mu has been recognizing the best and brightest of graduates from Library and Information Studies programs since 1948. Over 35,000 graduates of accredited Library and Information Science programs in the United States, Canada, and abroad have been initiated into Beta Phi Mu and its chapters. 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.
Membership in Beta Phi Mu, 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 or other recognized accrediting agency approved by the Beta Phi Mu Executive Board has accredited or recognized a professional degree program, or candidates from all other programs offered under the direction of the same faculty, and who fulfill the following requirements:
Graduate level:
- Completion of at least 50% of the total hours/credits required for the 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.
- Completion of at least 50% of the total hours/credits required for the undergraduate degree, with a scholastic average of no lower than 3.75 where A equals 4.0
- Recommendation by the faculty.
- Total eligible candidates from a program shall comprise no more than thirty-five (35) percent of the annual graduating class.
- Acceptance of invitation and payment of fees. There is no time limit for acceptance of invitation, but candidates must provide proof of invitation with payment of fees when accepting invitation to membership.
Programs currently approved by the Beta Phi Mu Executive Board as eligible for electing new members are:
- Those accredited by the American Library Association (ALA).
- Those recognized by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) (Please note that the AASL is a division of ALA, and all AASL-recognized programs also have Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) [formerly NCATE] accreditation).
- Those outside of the U.S. and Canada which have been identified by the American Library Association as having "formal" accreditation processes and whose graduates are considered acceptable for employment in the United States. Currently identified program are listed by the ALA on their Foreign Credentials Evaluation Assistance page.
Chapter and program officials, please see the Forms page for membership forms you may provide to your nominees and the Beta Phi Mu Handbook for more information about election procedures. Contact Beta Phi Mu Headquarters if you have questions or need assistance.
Fees: There is a one-time, lifetime membership fee of US$100.00 for US members or US$115.00 for non-US members. Recognized chapters may charge an additional chapter membership fee.
*Active membership status: to maintain active membership, all members must pay the national annual fee. Only active members will have the privilege of voting, holding office, maintaining chapter affiliations, and receiving member benefits.
The national annual membership fee is $35 USD
*A one-year active membership is included in the national initiation fee of $100 USD for US members, $115 USD for non-US members, and $150 USD for professional members.
Professional Membership
Beta Phi Mu is pleased to offer a Professional Membership option. Professional Membership has all same the privileges of Regular Membership, including: chapter membership, attending all membership meetings of the Society; speaking at meetings and on motions; proposing motions; voting; holding office; and presiding.
Eligibility
- Not already a member of Beta Phi Mu
- Hold a graduate degree in library and information science (LIS) from a college or university that offers an American Library Association accredited or other recognized degree program (see eligible programs for regular membership, above)
- Graduated with a minimum GPA of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale from that program
- Work as an information or library professional and/or LIS faculty member
- Made a distinctive contribution to the profession (see examples below)
Complete the online Professional Membership application, including the following materials:
- An official or unofficial transcript noting a minimum GPA of 3.75 out of a 4.0 scale at time of graduation from a graduate LIS program
- A current resume or CV, including information about LIS-related positions held, LIS professional association memberships and involvement, and any awards/recognitions
- Statement noting distinctive contribution to the information/library profession (no more than 1,000 words) and addressing your commitment and outstanding contributions to Beta Phi Mu values of scholarship, leadership, and service
- Contact information for two individuals willing to provide recommendations noting your professional accomplishments, as well as addressing your commitment and outstanding contributions to Beta Phi Mu values of scholarship, leadership and/or service
- Article published in a ranked library journal
- Developed a groundbreaking service or program at your library
- Service or teaching awards
- Leadership positions in professional associations
- Record of presentations at state or national level
- Published a book on information/library related topic
- Served as Associate Dean/Director or Dean/Director at a library for 3+ years
- Other relevant distinctive contributions
Annual Fee: To maintain active professional member status, persons elected to professional membership must pay a US$35 national annual fee. This annual fee will be based on the rolling year (i.e., a year from when an individual first joined).
Persons elected to professional membership and maintain active status shall have all the privileges of chapter and at-large membership, including attending all members meetings of the Society; speaking at meetings and on motions; proposing motions; voting; holding office; presiding; and all discounts/scholarships.
|
|
