Beta Phi Mu (BPM), the library and information studies honor society, was founded at the University of Illinois in August 1948 by a group of leading librarians and library educators to recognize and encourage scholastic achievement among library and information studies students.

Our motto, Aliis inserviendo consumor, meaning 'Consumed in the service of others' was selected by the founders based on the concept of dedication of librarians and other information professionals to the service of others.

Alpha Chapter at Illinois makes an annual award to the person who, by vote of the faculty, is considered the most outstanding student in the graduating Masters of Science in Library and Information Science program. Contributions have also been made to the Library and Information Science Library and the Building Addition Fund in the name of the organization. Programs for the local library and information science community are also a part of the local chapter's contribution to scholarly endeavors.

A new undergraduate sub-chapter for students in the Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences was instituted in 2022.

Today there are 38 active chapters of the organization and more than 30,000 individuals have become members: http://betaphimu.org/.