Alpha Beta Alpha (ΑΒΑ) is an American honorary library fraternity that is dedicated to serving college and university library science majors at the undergraduate level. The fraternity has two active chapters, after the recent reinstatement of its Alpha chapter at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana in 2018. Rho chapter is situated at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. It has installed 37 chapters, two of which are currently active.
The idea of such an organization was first discussed at a banquet hosted by Eugene P. Watson at Northwestern State College on October 30, 1945.[3][4] The event was attended by some forty library science students and librarians, along with Nora Buest of the U.S. Office of Education; Sue Hefley, Louisiana State Supervisor of School Libraries; and Mary Harris, Assistant State Librarian.[4] Attendees spoke of the need for a nationwide professional development organization for library science students.[4]
The following year, on January 10, 1946, the Northwestern State College Library Club was founded.[3] Finally, on May 3, 1950, the members of the Scharlie E. Russel Library Club founded Alpha Beta Alpha, the first co-educational library science fraternity in the United States.[2] The purpose of ABA is to support interest in librarianship, to maintain a sense of respnsitiby for the profession, and to deveope a sympathy and understanding for the problems and work of people.[3]
Alpha Beta Alpha held its first national convention at Northwestern State College on March 15 and 16, 1952.[3][4] Nearly fifty chapters were chartered at colleges across the United States.[2][3]
The Alpha chapter is one of two active chapters of Alpha Beta Alpha and is located at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. This group hosts biweekly meetings to discuss and plan upcoming events, brainstorm service and informational events, nominate members of the week, and collaborate with Eugene P. Watson Memorial Library and other registered student organizations that promote reading & literacy. Past events have featured advocating against banning books & censorship, preserving oral histories and traditions centered around Louisiana culture, fun educational trivia, presentation of statistics, and speakers in fields that deal closely with books.
The Rho chapter is the second active chapter of Alpha Beta Alpha and is located at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.[3] The group holds weekly meetings where they plan and organize various service events on and off campus, discuss current events in the library science field, and bring in library and academic professionals to talk about library-related topics, and job opportunities around the United States. Recently, the organization has offered more social activities and events than just purely academic pursuits. Alpha Beta Alpha on the campus holds an annual banquet where they discuss the year's events as well as honoring special guests and graduating seniors.
Symbols
The Alpha Beta Alpha badge is in the shape of a closed book, behind which a quill pen is placed vertically; diagonally across the book are the letters Α, Β and Α. The pledge button is shaped like a shield and crossed by a diagonal line. The blazon of the official coat of arms is as follows:
Arms: purpure [purple], on a bend argent [silver], three Greek letters ΑΒΑ, of the first between; in chief, a white rose-leaved vert; and in base, the reproduction of the ΑΒΑ key.
Crest: on a wreath of the colors, a candle holder argent holding a candle purpure, flamed and resplendent, or [gold].
The motto is Books, People, Service, Life.
The fraternity colors are purple and white.
The official flower is a white rose.
The official seal is round with a reproduction of the badge in the center, the fraternity's name, and the date encircling the badge.[5]
Chapters
Following are the chapters of Alpha Beta Alpha, with. active chapters noted in bold and inactive chapters in italics.[4][6][7][2]
^ abcdAnson, Jack L. and Marchesani Jr. Robert F., eds. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 20h edition. Indianapolis: Baird's Manual Foundation, 1991. pp. V66-67. ISBN0-9637159-0-9
^ abcdefNasri, William Z. (1968). "Alpha Beta Alpha". In Allen Kent & Harold Lancour (ed.). Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science. Vol. 1. New York: Marcel Dekker. pp. 166–169. ISBN0-8247-2001-6. Retrieved 2017-06-08.
