Epsilon Beta is a club for high school students interested in the library. Its official name is Episcpoi Tes Bibliothekes, "Keepers of the Library".

HISTORY - The first Epsilon Beta club was organized at Washington High School, Washington, Missouri, in 1931, by a teacher, Leona Evans. During the 1968-1969 school year, interested librarians and students expanded Epsilon Beta to a statewide organization.

EMBLEM - The emblem includes the club motto, "Keepers of the Library", the name Epsilon Beta, a book and a torch. The yellow background represents loyalty and honor, and the green, youth and hope.

OFFICERS/ELECTIONS - State officers are elected at the annual meeting in the spring. They are: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and historian. Any member desiring to hold an office must come to the convention prepared to campaign. Each chapter represented at convention is allowed two voting delegates. Any local Epsilon Beta club may become a chapter by paying state dues. Local clubs who are considering affiliation with the state organization shall be permitted to attend their first convention without having paid state dues for that year. Current state dues are $3.00 per member.

SPRING CONVENTION - The state officers have a meeting in the fall to help plan the Epsilon Beta Spring Convention, which is held each year in a different part of the state, always in a college town. A tour of a college campus and another educational tour are included. A physical activity like bowling or roller skating is included. At the business meeting, state officers are elected. Competitions during the convention include Quiz Bowl, scrapbook, book talks, book trailers, photography and scholarship. Quiz Bowl questions are about libraries, library resources and literature. Competitors can win trophies and ribbons. The scholarship is available to a senior who has been active in Epsilon Beta for at least two years and will be attending college in the fall. Scholarship money is paid directly to the institution of higher education.  Scrapbook, book talk (about the next year's Gateway Award books), book trailer (about the current year's Gateway Award books) and photography competitions are available to all participating individuals..  The scrapbook presented for competition covers the previous school year, so at the 2018 convention, the 2016-17 scrapbooks will be judged. 

AFFILIATION - Epsilon Beta is sponsored by the Missouri Association of School Librarians, which helps coordinate Epsilon Beta activities through a director, appointed annually. Current MASL Liaison to Epsilon Beta is Jill Williams, Library Media Specialist, McDonald County. You may reach her for information at jwilliams@mcdonaldco.k12.mo.us.