Epsilon Beta State Library Club
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. The club disappeared fora while, and was brought back by a librarian from Troy Buchanan High School, Georganna Krumlinde.
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