Bibliotherapy How Teens are Using the Library to

Bibliotherapy: How Teens are Using the Library to Educate Themselves on Life Issues http: //tinyurl. com/biblio 2015 Jeff Schreiber Germantown High School WEMTA 2015

Is this bibliotherapy?

How about this?

What is the “official” definition of bibliotherapy? O "The use of books selected on the basis of content in a planned reading program designed to facilitate the recovery of patients suffering from mental illness or emotional disturbance. Ideally, the process occurs in three phases: personal identification of the reader with a particular character in the recommended work, resulting in psychological catharsis, which leads to rational insight concerning the relevance of the solution suggested in the text to the reader's own experience. Assistance of a trained psychotherapist is advised. " --bibliotherapy in ODLIS, Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science.

Unofficially: Harnessing the power of a book to connect with its reader in personal ways

Benefits of Bibliotherapy O O O O O Promote personality growth Promote emotional and social development Relieve anxiety of having problems or being different Allow kids to feel they are not alone The old Atticus Finch motto of being able to see things from another’s point of view Help kids be productive problem solvers instead of emotional over-reactors (R&J) Educate and provide information to kids about a personal/private issue they may be afraid to confront Stimulate discussion “How did they handle the issue? Do you agree? ” Allow friends to use this as a tool for friend they may be mentoring Understand issues with parents or siblings

Motivations O Rise of PTSD O Recent high profile suicides and death by substance abuse in O O O O news Ever present desire and societal pressure to “look good” People with these issues often go about quiet and afraid to confront them. Many of these are regulars in the library. Many are in family settings that contain these issues Rise in diagnosed and undiagnosed mental health issues Rise in popularity of TV shows that depict these issues along with other odd human behaviors Has no boundry—urban, suburban, rural issues similar By reading about the issue you have more respect for what someone is going through, and perhaps can recognize in friends and family problematic symptoms Helping inexperienced minds with coping skills

Why Do I like Nonfiction? O Real stories hit hard O Books often contain resources with or at the O O back of book Students will often research characters later to see how things turn out Can’t say, “Well that would never really happen, ” or “There’s no way out. ” Unique perspectives (From subject, parent, sibling POV) Nonfiction and fiction can work in tandem with one leading to the other

How Can We Help? O Make resources available with a supportive, diverse O O O collection that addresses issues Create an atmosphere of comfort and security Nonjudgmental attitudes when helping kids Creative cataloging. Problems are not usually isolated-but come with a cause and effect. Thus, perhaps key titles may have multiple copies. Cataloging titles is key. Try to figure in what area the book may be most relevant. Have supplemental resources available from support organizations or counselors. Could be a poster for Guidance Dept, or local helpline near that area. Make sure your aides are on the same “attitude” page as you

Taking steps to help O Evaluate your collection O Talk to counselors, local health agencies, admin and police about local issues O Catalogue books by categories relevant to your population O Develop a criteria-strategy to defend yourself to administration O Explore personal perspective anthologies of mental health issues—they are becoming popular

Collaboration and Promotion Ideas O In curriculum. English Projects- (Metal Health Issues and Catcher in the Rye, Advanced Comp and Memoirs) O O O Health Class-mental health research unit. Arg and Per Gender Issues unit, AP Psych Displays are tricky. Be conspicuously inconspicuous! Having books displayed is better than having a display. It’s nice to have these books “seek you out” Letting counselors and social workers know about lists for their work with kids Biblio Groups meeting before/after school or online Try to purchase ebooks. Kids may feel more comfortable in an “unseen” environment Subscribe to Teen Health and Wellness

Problems you may run into O School administration may believe these O O O books are too graphic and inappropriate. (I once bought Heroin Diaries!) Are these stories really true? Parents in denial get angry when they see their child bring home a certain book School is not the place for this Kids will be influenced to take the negative action by the characters You are making kids uncomfortable, they need to feel “safe” here

My Collection and some ideas O Categories in Destiny O New Book List

Other subjects worth considering O Heroin/Meth/prescription drugs O Sickness, disease self/parent O Family/divorce O Female/gender issues O Sexuality issues O Religion O College/pressure and stress in being a teen O Teenage Homelessness

Thanks much for coming! If you need to get in contact, please feel free! The more we share, the better we will be! jschreiber@germantown. k 12. wi. us