You need not be officially depressed On bibliotherapy as part of ordinary work in libraries, with Kirklees in England as an example

The purpose of this thesis is to examine if and how bibliotherapy can be part of ordinary work in Swedish libraries. Questions: what is bibliotherapy and who can work with it? What are the conditions required? What does it mean to people taking part and to libraries? In this study bibliotherapy is delimited to fiction and activities including discussions, excluded are self-help books and the individuals private reading. The study is based on four qualitative interviews with librarian and bibliotherapists in Kirklees, England, partaking in nine bibliotherapeutic sessions and a literary survey, together forming a case-study. Conclusions: There is not a single answer to the question what bibliotherapy is, but if one puts stress on the biblio- part of the word, seeing reading as a normal activity it can be part of library work, whereas the therapy- part should be dealt with by professionals outside libraries. Bibliotherapy in libraries means that people with mild to moderate psychological problems will gain access to fiction and libraries, giving them something sustainable they can use afterwards and also spread to others. What is needed is staff with good interpersonal skills, cooperation with the health-and social services etc and a belief in the idea. To staff bibliotherapy means new, meaningful but demanding work. To libraries bibliotherapy means observing the Swedish library law which says that all citizens shall have access to libraries and that particular notice should be taken to disabled persons. Bibliotherapy also means a chance to improve visitors and lending-out figures.Uppsatsnivå: