Epsilon Beta State Library Club
Conference Update:
Epsilon Beta State Library Club State Conference 2023 took place March 11-12 in Jefferson City, Missouri. Students and sponsors from six chapters arrived around 4:00 on a Friday evening.
The students chose a dystopian theme for the conference, and each school chose a different dystopian book to represent in costume. We had everything from Ready Player One to Divergent to,--of course-- The Hunger Games. Students voted for several awards in costuming.
Students also brought entries to our competitions which included a Book Shelfie competition, a Book Face competition, Book Talks, Book Toks, and Book Nooks. Students voted, and the winners were announced Saturday.
Our business meeting was held Saturday morning where several items of business were discussed, and officers for next year were chosen. Congratulations to our new State Officers: President: Sharee Robinson, Jefferson City High School; Vice President: Kaylin Mathews, McDonald County High School; Secretary, Anna Stevens, Knob Noster High School; Communications Director: Novalee Haney, McDonald County High School.
Students and sponsors went on a tour of the State Capitol Building before stopping by Central Dairy for ice cream. After a sweet treat, the students and sponsors headed home after a great conference.
Basic Information:
Epsilon Beta is a club for high school and middle school students interested in the library. Its official name is Episcpoi Tes Bibliothekes: “Keepers of the Library.” Epsilon Beta is an affiliate of the Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL)
The first Epsilon Beta club was started in Washington, MO in 1931, and by 1969 the organization had expanded statewide. MASL invites its members to start a club chapter at their own school to continue this great Missouri tradition.
Chapters engage in a variety of activities, including:
Book donations to local libraries
Teacher appreciation events during National Library Week
Social events
Book Clubs
Participation in school events, like Homecoming
Promote literacy throughout the student body through reading challenges, reading incentives, and reading awards.
Annual community service projects that involve donations to local charities.
Partner with another school group to put together service projects
Coordinating activities during Banned Book Week, Children’s Book Week and TeenTober
Monthly shelf reading in the library
Attending the annual statewide Epsilon Beta Convention
Practice contests within your own group to prepare for the state conference
An Epsilon Beta Club is a great way to highlight the multifaceted value your library provides to your school.
If you have questions about starting up an Epsilon Beta chapter at your school, please contact MASL’s Epsilon Beta Liaison, R. Jill Williams.
(417) 845-3322 ext. 2215