Launching our chapter in ‘Bibliotherapy ‘ the new bibliotherapy guide to support the health and wellbeing of communities published by Facet UK. Thank you Dr Sue Reynolds for launching.
Author Archives: Susan McLaine - Words That Heal
Reading is so good for you
“Reading is more than a distraction; it is an active engaging of the imagination, which causes you to enter what psychologists describe as an altered state of consciousness.”
Looking Beyond Traditional Bibliotherapy: A New View
I have a new article, Looking Beyond Traditional Bibliotherapy: A New View, recently published on Taylor & Francis Online and is in the latest issue of Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, Issue 3.
Talking bibliotherapy on ABC radio
During 774 ABC Melbourne recent Radio-in-Residence in the community at State Library Victoria, I was grateful to have the opportunity to talk bibliotherapy with the lovely Clare Bowditch
https://radio.abc.net.au/programitem/peW3ZJa9a3?play=true
Bibliotherapy in criminal justice
An article about my bibliotherapy work in a Melbourne prison.
Bibliotherapy and libraries
There are strong links between bibliotherapy and libraries. The concept of bibliotherapy dates back to 300 BC, when ancient civilisations placed inscriptions over library entrances stating that within the building was healing for the soul. The early connection to libraries is even traced to William Shakespeare’s tragedy Titus Andronicus, in which Titus says ‘Come and take choice of all my library, And so beguile they sorrow…’
Bibliotherapy in INCITE March 2015, volume 36, issue 3, pp. 24-25.
Beyond Blue – improving the wellbeing of older people
Great to see bibliotherapy recognised in the new Beyond Blue booklet showing what works to improve the wellbeing of older people.
https://www.bspg.com.au/dam/bsg/product?client=BEYONDBLUE&prodid=BL/1263A&type=file
Full booklet available here:
http://www.beyondblue.org.au/about-us/news/news/2015/02/19/new-booklet-shows-what-can-improve-the-wellbeing-of-older-people
Full bibliotherapy paper available here:
2014 AHI Creative Ideas Convention
Words That Heal was recently in Sydney to present, be inspired and have fun at the 2014 Arts Health Institute Creative Ideas Convention, held at Luna Park Sydney 24-25 November. What an inspiring two days about engaging and connecting through creative arts. Thank you Arts Health Institute for the opportunity to present on creative bibliotherapy.
There was even free rides at lunch time for some additional Wild Mouse roller coaster pulse-pounding therapy!
Here is a great video from the convention, talking about the importance of creativity, connection and imagination in healing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAr3KOw19-w
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NSW Public Libraries conference Mudgee November 2014
Me in the middle with Debbie Hicks from the UK’s Reading Agency (R) and Jan Richards Manager Central West Libraries (L).
Thank you NSW PL conference committee for the opportunity to speak on ‘Books, Community and Wellbeing’
Conference highlight – meeting Debbie Hicks
NSW Public Libraries Conference 2014: Libraries & Community Wellbeing. Two full days of fabulous speakers and interesting presentations, including:
Debbie Hicks on Books on Prescription in the UK. Amazing work – over 7000 prescribing partners.
http://readingagency.org.uk/news/blog/announcing-the-reading-well-books-on-prescription-scheme.html
Bernard Salt on literacy and population
Jens Nordentoft with the four room model of public libraries in Denmark
Social media and community engagement by Mylee Joseph
Michael Caulfield – Australians at War – documenting personal stories
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2007/08/06/1997679.htm
Tony Coggins asking can money buy happiness?
http://www.crrmh.com.au/News/tony-coggins.html
and another highlight – the Mudgee red wine …
Words That Heal at the Melbourne Writers Festival
At the 2014 Melbourne Writers Festival I was a guest speaker in the session ‘Words that Heal’ on bibliotherapy (the use of literature to help people deal with psychological, social and emotional problems). Writer and journalist Jane Sullivan chaired the 60-minute conversation between myself and writer/general practitioner Jacinta Halloran. I spoke on the background and uses of bibliotherapy including a psycho-social rehabilitation unit within the criminal justice area and with homeless and at risk people. I also spoke about a wellbeing focused bibliotherapy program I have developed in collaboration with a psychologist and general practitioner.
The session attracted much interest with 400 bookings and received some pleasing feedback.
Congratulations on your session at the Writers Festival. I really enjoyed your session on Friday morning, it was such an unexpected surprise – I had no idea that the session was on bibliotherapy & your amazing work. Every year I go to the festival & come across surprise gems – and your session was certainly that for me – so refreshing to hear and learn how you are using literature to work in transformative ways.
The possibilities of bibliotherapy resonate with so many, as people search for more meaningful ways to connect.
