In school library services and programming,
the conduct of reading guidance and reading advisory is part and parcel of the
expected job output.
Readers’
Advisory is a fundamental library service where librarians and libraries recommend
and suggest books and other reading materials that meet the interests of
readers. It is also conducted by bookstores and reading clubs. Information
Communications Technology (ICT) tools can greatly support the dissemination of Readers’
Advisory lists, directories and titles curated from the collection.
Not
to be confused with guided reading, a teaching strategy applied by teachers, Reading
Guidance is a library service of recommending books and reading materials
that is directed to a specific group with an identified need or information
problem. It is at this juncture where bibliotherapy
services and programs in school libraries, or even public libraries, find its
place.
The
American Library Association (ALA) adopted this definition of Bibliotherapy
from Webster’s Dictionary Third
International Edition: “ the use of selected reading materials as
therapeutic adjuncts in medicine and psychiatry; also, guidance in the solution
of personal problems through directed reading.”
Definitions
of bibliotherapy as contextualized in the school setting are as follows:
Bibliotherapy is the provision of health information and support through books
(Brewster, 2008).
Bibliotherapy is the method for helping human beings in emotional
distress. Books are the specific modality, but may also cover films, picture
books and oral storytelling (Cargo, 2005).
Bibliotherapy is a strategy that helps students overcome or deal
with current problem(s) or issue(s) in their lives (Stamps, 2003).
Bibliotherapy is a method of using literature to help students
understand themselves and cope with problems relevant to their personal
situations and developmental needs (Herbert and Kent, 2000).
Notable findings
of research on Bibliotherapy are identified below:
Bibliotherapy has a significant
effect in the self-esteem of abandoned children in Children of Joy Foundation,
Calamba Laguna. Children
experienced identification, catharsis and taking insight in the bibliotherapy
process. (J. Macheca, et. al. 2014.)
Bibliotherapy
is a valuable technique for preventing problems during childhood. (Pardeck,
1990)
Bibliotherapy...helps
promote attitudes of respect and acceptance in inclusive environments. (Kramer,
1999)
Effective
for boys since they have challenges verbalizing their feelings and may be
better at solving problems through a third person approach. Characters in books
serve as role models for them and help bright boys reflect topics that require
analysis of a problem in a safe environment.
( T. Herbert, 1991)
Bibliotherapy
with aggressive children in the school setting is effective. It can be applied
by
by teachers and counselors in the reduction
of aggression and power, and in the enhancement of empathy and self-control. (Shechtman,
2016)
Children’s
books affect a child’s theory of mind – an understanding of the mental state of
others… discussion of books read aloud to a child
positively impacts a child’s
ability to empathize. (Solow and Owens, 2018)
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