Introduction
Are you curious about bibliotherapy and creating book groups to support your community’s health? Bibliotherapy is the practice of using books and reading to help individuals cope with physical and mental health conditions or with stressful life transitions (Dali, LACL, 2025). Ella Berthoud and Susan Elderkin (2013) write that “bibliotherapy has been popular in the form of the nonfiction self-help book for several decades now. But lovers of literature have been using novels as salves – either consciously or subconsciously – for centuries” (p. xi). Ceridwen Dovey’s dive into bibliotherapy led them to conclude that “In a secular age, I suspect that reading fiction is one of the few remaining paths to transcendence, that elusive state in which the distance between the self and the universe shrinks. Reading fiction makes me lose all sense of self, but at the same time makes me feel most uniquely myself.”
We readers know that life is hard, and the right book can make us feel better: it might just take our mind off of our problems, but it can also show us a different point of view, a way around our problems, a light at the end of the tunnel.
However, we cannot assume that our problems or our experience of a particular problem is the same as someone else’s experience or that they will find the same relief that we do when picking up a book. We all bring our own experiences to our books. We don’t offer therapy sessions at the library. Bibliotherapy is tricky and one should be trained before ‘prescribing’ books. If someone is in need of therapy or experiencing significant psychological distress, a librarian should not prescribe a book, but should instead refer to them to the appropriate healthcare providers. Just as we have experienced relief or joy through reading, we must remember that reading can dredge up unpleasant memories or cause psychological harm that a therapist could either avoid or mitigate. When you are working with vulnerable people, including people in recovery, be careful and ask for help from a therapist until you are trained.
That said, librarians can get training; more about that below. You can also work with a local therapist to create book lists, lead book groups, or make referrals for different kinds of therapy as needed. Books are certainly not a cure-all for everyone, but, properly administered, they can offer individuals solace or uplift, or bring people together for some great conversations.
Different Kinds of Reading Groups
Your library might already host or support different kinds of book or reading events. Many libraries today have ‘silent book groups’ (Bring Your Own Book events) where the library supplies the space and refreshments: it’s a cure for loneliness! You might check bookbags out for book clubs, with multiple copies of a book along with a book discussion guide. These are highly recommended – they are inexpensive and highly effective programs that support they library’s stated and unstated mission (Stover, LACL, 2025).
Library reading groups are different from neighborhood or friends’ book clubs. First, everyone should feel like they are welcome and can drop in at any time. This is not a ‘club’ – it is a welcoming library program, and the library leader needs to remain in control of the conversation. If someone is dominating, gently open it back up. Stay on track – have an agenda with at least five discussion questions that everyone has access to. That way, everyone will know what to expect and be able to participate. This does take practice, but you can do it!
A Note on Commitment and Reading Ability: have options!
If you are considering reading programs for people who are there because of some quality that makes them vulnerable (e.g., in recovery), take into account that they might have limited energy to devote to reading. People might have different reading abilities or limited attention spans. In other words, do not assign Tolstoy and expect them to participate. In fact, you might consider having short readings, such as poems, articles, or even something that you can watch together as a group. Make sure that whatever is chosen is available in multiple formats. If the intention of the group is to create a space where people can talk about their connection to the text, make it accessible so that people want to return.
You also might have an online book group option. While that doesn’t have the same ‘vibe’ as in-person groups, an online session can be more accessible to people with limited transportation options, childcare needs, illness, or any other reason that makes getting to the library difficult.
Marketing
Don’t assume that people look at the library calendar. Make flyers that you put up in the library and around around town (ask grocery stores, churches and other gathering places to help get the word out!). Create bookmarks with recommended reading lists and information about various book groups. If you have book groups for women/men/teens/older people in recovery, let local therapists know about it.
Use your social media (multiple platforms) to advertise about your book groups. Let your local radio stations know. Be sure to modify the message depending on who your audience is: think to yourself, who will this reach? How should I advertise it?
Training for Librarians
Bibliotherapy in libraries is more common in the U.K. than in the U.S. Booktherapy.io, maintained by Bijal Shah, is a highly accessible online training option – the Bibliotherapy, Literature, and Mental Health Online course, at the time of writing, is $96.00. Her A-Z “bibliotherapeutic book recommendations and literary travel guides (what I fondly term “book prescriptions”) have been hand-picked and collated for everything under the sun – whether you’re looking for something therapeutic or for personal interest, these book recommendations are here to inspire, uplift and engage.”
References
Berthoud, Ella and Susan Elderkin. The Novel Cure. Penguin Books, 2013.
Dovey, Ceridwen. “Can Reading Make you Happier?” New Yorker, June 9, 2015.
Additional Reading:
Dali, Keren. “On the Dangers of Reading.” RA News.
Moyer, Jessica E., and Kaite Mediatore Stover. The Readers’ Advisory Handbook. American Library Association, 2010.
Pierce, Jennifer Burek. “A Feeling for Books: Therapeutic connections to library practice.” American Libraries online, posted 11/22/2010.
Sturm, Brian W. “Reader’s Advisory and Bibliotherapy: Helping or Healing?” Journal of Educational Media & Library Sciences, Vol. 41, No. 2, December 2003, p. 171-179.
Ward, Judit Hajnal, and Nicholas A. Allred. The Librarian’s Guide to Bibliotherapy. ALA Editions, 2024.