of all these is to avoid wasting the precious time of users. In other words ... Bibliotherapy is part of a larger framework, often an integral part of a therapeutic plan.
BIBLIOTHERAPY By ADEBAYO John Oluwaseye, NCE, BLIS, MLIS, CLN Reference and Electronic Resources Librarian at Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, Nigeria
INTRODUCTION Libraries all over the world, irrespective of their types, are established to provide information resources that can meet the needs of their users. The uniqueness and dynamism of libraries are seen in the way they acquire relevant information resources (both print and electronic) which are systematically classified to enhance easy accessibility by the users. It is good to remember that resources in the library are for use; every user of a library has specific resources that are useful to him/her; each of the resources as well has specific users; and the goal of all these is to avoid wasting the precious time of users. In other words, the fact that two persons go to the library does not mean they would use the same book; information needs differ. Studies on the reason why people go to libraries revealed that it either or combination of: research, study, entertainment, relaxation, or thinking. Also, library is a place where people can go to use and digest books as medicine for the treatment of emotional or psychological ailment. CONCEPT OF BIBLIOGRAPHY In an attempt to break the concept into two key words, bibliography is a combination of: biblio and therapy. Biblio is a greek word that means “book” or “relating to book” while therapy means “healing, remedy, treatment, or cure” In the words of Aiex (1996), bibliotherapy is a technique used to assist individuals to overcome negative emotions related to a real-life problem by guided reading about the dilemmas of a third person, followed by individual or group discussion in a non-threatening environment. Sometimes referred to as, biblioguidance, bibliocounseling, literatherapy, bookmatching or reading therapy, bibliotherapy involves the use of books and other media to facilitate both normal development and clinically significant problems (Rubin, 1978). While clinical bibliotherapy addresses emotional-behavioral of individuals, developmental bibliotherapy facilitates transitions with basically healthy people. Bibliotherapy is part of a larger framework, often an integral part of a therapeutic plan. It is best used by trained professionals (like librarians) who have skills in its application. Reading books is recognized as a means to help individuals deal with deep concerns and can offer strategies specific to developmental issues (Pehrsson and McMillen, 2007). As individuals, especially students, there are issues of life that affects psychological and emotional stability, which in turn, may determine academic performances. Some persons have challenges with trust and love because they have been disappointed in the past; some cannot 1|Page
obey authority because of their family background and upbringing; others have low self-esteem because they have been looked down upon or bullied; many were raped by strangers or relatives; some lost their lovely parents and loved ones at gunpoint to armed-robbers; many felt they cannot become great in life because they are from humble background with little or no financial or material support; some believed marriages is an evil thing, something that cannot work out because their parents never lived peacefully. All the stated challenges are some of the big sicknesses or ailments that are wrestling with people in the society today. One of the major concerns is that they are issues that reside within but affect the way an individual behaves or reasons in the society. Sometimes, because those issues are considered personal issues, these challenges are not readily expressed to people around the persons bearing the pain, then, it continues to hurt them. Remember, anything that hurts or brings pain is likened to sicknesses. The best thing to do to a sickness is for it to be treated by a specialist; one of the ways of treating such problems is to consult a librarian who will recommend a book or other electronic resources for you to read and digest. That service is called bibliotheraphy. Bibliotherapy can be described as the process of reading self-help books to help people (both young and adults) solves certain difficulties they may be facing in their lives at a particular time. This involves reading specific books or e-books which are related to certain challenges in someone’s life. Essentially, bibliotherapy may be described as the act of using books or other information-bearing resources to help people in solving personal issues that are affecting them emotionally and psychologically at a particular time. It could also be defined as the process of using books to help people, irrespective of their age or social status comprehend and manage psychological, social and emotional challenges. In this case, a library user may not tell the Librarian all that has happened, he/she can simply request for any material on something related to the problem, for example: self-esteem, forgiveness, abuse, marriage, encouragement, and academic excellence, e.t.c. Bibliotherapy helps to boost individuals’ well-being, self-assurance, self-confidence and overall quality of life. It can be a practical and unnoticeable way of learning new ways of coping with life challenges. HOW LIBRARIANS USE BIBLIOTHERAPHY TO HELP PEOPLE Librarians, as experts in the selection of information resources use bibliography to help people in the following ways, as stated by McIntyre (2009): Identify the needs of young ones. This task is done through observation, parent conferences, student writing assignments, and the review of school/facility records. Connect people with appropriate materials that can meet their psychological and emotional challenges. For instance, books that focus on divorce, a death in the family, or whatever needs have been identified. Design follow-up activities like discussion, paper writing, drawing, and drama for the reading.
2|Page
Engage the young ones in the reading, viewing, or listening phases. By asking questions and short discussions throughout the reading exercise. Then giving the summary of what was discussed in the book. Assist the student in achieving closure through discussion and a listing of possiblesolutions, or some other activity.
BENEFITS OF BIBLIOTHERAPY: The benefits are immediate and can be practiced as soon as the person starts reading the book.
It can be reassuring to identify that you are not alone in dealing with a particular problem. This can help breakdown any isolation that you are feeling.
It helps in learning about an issue that might give someone the right words and confidence to seek additional help, such as talking with friends, family members, teachers, bosses, and also at interviews.
Bibliotherapy helps readers to gain new insight on the challenging situation they are facing and how it could be managed.
Bibliotherapy helps students to improve on their academic performances and competences.
Some of these books accessible to readers for free and they may be borrowed at no cost.
It also helps people to personally manage their emotional problems without any interference from any expert. Through this method, an individual can become his/her own Doctor by selecting a book that can solve the problems from the library shelves.
Readers can also access these books on the internet at the corner of their rooms. This takes care of reader’s privacy without having to worry about being seen by others for them to be aware such problem exists.
These books cover practical experiences of other who have gone through similar problems. Hence, reading their stories help minimize or stop the problem at hand from degenerating into a more complex problem. To help communicate new values and change in attitudes caused by the problem.
DISADVANTAGES OF BIBLIOTHERAPY If the reader involves in a self-help process of bibliography, he/she may end up selecting wrong materials which can worsen the situation. Ideas and experiences picked from books, especially from a foreign culture or country, may contradict the moral standards applicable in Nigeria.
3|Page
The method someone else used in solving his/her problems may not be directly applicable to the same problem at hand elsewhere, considering different factors like: age, religion, economic situation, and technological advancements, among others. Inability of the reader to directly apply the ideas, as obtained from success stories of others, may further compound the problem at hand. This is because such can lead to frustration. The proposed solutions to the problems that have been obtained by the person may make him/her become desperate to come out of the problem. This may make him to be over ambitious, over react, or restless. Personal secrets given out to librarians/bibliotherapist in the process of seeking for solutions to a problem may leak out; this may lead to distrust, which is another emotional problem.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN BIBLIOTHERAPY Bibliotherapy is a very delicate information and psychological service that appeals to people emotion. Hence, there are few ethical issues to be understood and fully considered while assisting people to overcome their problems through reading of books. These points are applicable to librarians, bibliotherapist, and anyone in the business of bibliotherapy. Informed Consent: It must be ensured that the person to be helped is fully carried along throughout out the process. If the person is a child, consent of the parents should be obtained; it should not be done without the awareness or approval of the person(s) involved. Dangers and Benefits: Both should be considered before the process or activities of bibliotherapy begin. The person trying to help must critically analyze and be sure that the benefits would outrun the dangers or problems that may come up in the process. Privacy: The librarian/bibliotherapist should ensure that access is not provided to any third parties regarding the data or information of users. Efforts must be put in place to safeguard information about any reader, especially, the nature and degree of their problems. This will build trust in the information services and person providing the services. Confidentiality: Information service providers must ensure that they do not divulge information about any user without prior permission from the concerned person. Even when allowed to do so, the librarian should note that he/she cannot give more information than he/she is allowed to give out, as specified by the person to be helped. Detail information about readers must be kept confidentially. Voluntary participation: Using bibliotherapy as a means of solving emotional problems is a personal decision; therefore, users must not be forced into it. It should be a voluntary resolution made by the person that needs help.
4|Page
CONCLUSION Bibliotherapy is no doubt a vital tool that could be adopted in the process of solving psychological and emotional problems being faced by both the adults and young ones. Emotional problems vary from individuals, just as the degrees of such problems are not the same. There are many benefits of bibliotherapy; some of its disadvantages were also revealed. If ethical considerations attached to bibliotherapy would be fully observed, the service is able to solve emotional problems being faced by people and also equip them to encourage others in such situations. REFERENCES Aiex, N. (1996). Bibliotherapy. Learning Disabilities OnLine. ERIC Digest 82 Retrieved February 25, 2017 from http://www.ldonline.org/ld_store/bibliotherapy/eric_digest82.html. Rubin, R. J. (1978). Using bibliotherapy: A guide to theory and practice. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press. Pehrsson, D. E., & McMillen, P. (2007). Bibliotherapy: Overview and implications for counselors (ACAPCD-02). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association. McIntyre, T. Bibliotheraphy. Retrieved February 28, 2017 from http://www.behavioradvisor.com/Biblio.html Athanasiou, N.L. (2009). Holding a river behind my eyes: The use of bibliotherapy to address loss. Michigan: UMI Dissertation Publishing. Berg, L.A. (2003). Children’s Stories of Parental Breakup, in Jensen, A & McKee, L (Eds). Children and the Changing Family: Between Transformation and Negotiation. New York: Routledge: 120-133. Broadway, M.D. (2008). Dealing With Death: Books To Help Young People Cope With Grief. Teacher Librarian. 35(5): 44–48. http://www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_299089_en.pdf PROFILE ADEBAYO John Oluwaseye, CLN is a seasoned writer, researcher, and professional librarian. A Certified Librarian of Nigeria, he obtained Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from Oyo State College of Education, Oyo and also attended University of Ibadan, Ibadan where he obtained Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Library and Information Studies respectively. He has published research articles in learned international journals; his research areas cover: Information Behaviour; ICT use in Libraries; Information Ethics, Users’ Satisfaction, and Academic Libraries. He currently works as Reference and Electronic Resources Librarian at Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, Nigeria. ©2017 5|Page
