lecture presented by Miguel M. Cobaria at PAARL Academy’s 2-day Modular Training Program on Bibliotherapy Services through Book Prescription Shops in Libraries & Information Centers, held on 19-20 May 2011, at the Librarians’Center of the National Bookstore Superbranch, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines

1. Exploring Bibliotherapy
in the
Reference Library
By: Prof. Miguel M. Cobaria
A seminar workshop paper
Prepared for PAARL, May 20, 2011
National Bookstore
Cubao, Quezon City

2. The Lecturer with A Booktalker of a
Special Kind: Sir Pagsi

3. WORKSHEET OF SPECIAL CONCERN
No. 3
Library and Information Science as a dynamic, growing Academic
Discipline and Profession for the Information Professionals and
Knowledge Economists and Managers
STREAM OF AWARENESS
STREAM OF CONCIOUSNESS for for highly technical Knowledge
educational knowledge organization Organization service in fields such
and information service in such as:
learning fields as:
* LAW
* PREPERATORY SCHOOLS
*MEDICINE
*ELEMENTARY AND
SCONDARY SCHOOLS * HEALTH AND ALLIED
SCIENCES
* COMMUNITY COLLEGES
*BUSINESS AND BANKING
* HIGHER EDUCATION
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES *INDUSTRIAL AND RELATED
FIELDS

4. PROPOSED LIS CURRICULAR PARADIGM
Possible Revival of Curricular Offerings Existing Curricular Offerings:
fitted for: •BLIS
•Elementary School Librarianship •MLS
•Secondary School Librarianship •MLIS
•Higher ed. Librarianship( LIS
Undergraduate and Graduate programs
with strong cognates in Education )-
Academic Librarianship
• And offering new courses geared for
Public Librarianship
QUESTION:
To what extent would you agree that courses like BSE-LIS, MA-ED-LIS be included in
R.A. 9246 and LIS Education in Public Librarianship as required degrees for taking
librarians examination?
PLEASE CHECK your degree of agreement
_____ to a greater extent
_____ to some extent
_____ to a little extent
_____ none at all
Comment:

5. Topic Outline
I. Bibliotherapy as a Reference
Service

6. II. A Run Through on
Bibliotherapy as Applied in
School Setting: Conceptual
Perspectives

7. III. Bibliotherapy Workshop
Using the Reference Craft:
“Boldly Live as You’ve Never
Lived Before” By: Richard
Raben & Hiyaguha Cohen

8. L et There Be
Bibliotherapy
Adopted from The Beatles’
“Let It Be”
Lyrics by: Miguel M. Cobaria

9. When I find my self
in times of crisis
looking for inspiration
when I really do not know
what to do
the librarian comes to my rescue

10. Creating some kind of fascination
reaching out through book
discussion
giving me hope & solutions,
optional answers to my
questions

11. Let there be, let there be
someone who’s a true friend
in that bookland
bringing all the needed wisdom
practical reference to my hand

12. Let there be, let there be
book talk societies in our country
sensible book discussions;
Bibliotherapy

13. (coda)
Let there be, let there be
good reference collection for
humanity
and librarians who can be
trusted
to do bibliotherapy

14. I
Bibliotherapy as a
Reference Service

15. Bibliotherapy
Bibliotherapy is a more specialized
form of guidance, related in its goals to
reader’s advisory work but generally
practiced in a group.

16. Although not, strictly speaking, a
reference service, it has been practiced
alongside traditional reference services and
readers’ advisory services in library
programs of the early 50’s in the US.

17. Originally, bibliotherapy involved using
directed reading to aid in a physical or
emotional healing process. Today
bibliotherapists use literature, film, or other
media, chosen for their appropriateness to
the needs of the group, to assist the personal
growth and/or rehabilitation of group
members through discussion of the material
read or viewed.

18. Practitioners have distinguish two primary
types of bibliotheraphy, clinical and
developmental clinical bibliotherapy is used
by doctors and hospital librarians with
persons with emotional or behavioral
problems to encourage self understanding or
behavioral change.

19. Developmental bibliotherapy is used with
a wide variety of individuals in schools or in
public libraries to promote self-knowledge,
personal growth, and the successful
completion of “developmental tasks”
associated with various life stage.

20. Readers discussion groups are
well fitted in conducting
developmental bibliotherapy in
which literature can be used as a
basis for examining both
individual and societal values
and goals.

21. Source:
Bopp, Richard E. and
Linda C. Smith.
Reference and
Information Services
(2001), 3 rd ed.

22. II
A Run Through on
Bibliotherapy as Applied
in School Setting:
Conceptual Perspectives

23. Bibliotherapy
Bibliotherapy is the sharing of carefully selected
literature with a child for the purpose of helping
the child work through a tough situation.
Children will be able to identify with the problems
of the characters and can work through those
problems by connecting to the text. They can
then see how they are not alone and work
towards understanding and resolving the
problem or situation.
Sources can be any form of text including books,
magazines, and poetry.

24. Bibliotherapy can
help a child achieve
Self-Actualization by
assisting with issues
dealing with safety,
love and belonging,
and esteem.
Literature can be shared with
children when dealing with
concerns about safety
homelessness; love and
belonging, like bullying or family
dynamics; or about esteem, for Image retrieved from Bing Images
example, being the best you can
be.

25. When should I use BIBLIOTHERAPY?
Anytime a child is dealing with a tough situation!
• Divorce
• Death
• Moving
• Bullying
• Special health needs
• Feeling different
• Prejudice/Understanding different cultures

26. Ways to use bibliotherapy
• Large or small group read aloud
• Given to a child for independent reading
• Story on CD in the listening center
• Recommend to parent to read and discuss
with child
• Literature circles (group according to content
for discussion)

27. Many series deal with situations
appropriate for bibliotherapy.

28. Bibliotherapy can be used by any adult who
is concerned about a child’s well being.
- Teachers
- Parents or other relative
- Librarians
- Friends
- Counselors/Therapists
It helps to be comfortable with the book
and subject matter you are addressing.

29. How do I pick the right book?
•Identify the problem.
•Select literature relevant to the problem.
•Have a main character that the child can identify with
(similar age, gender, situation)
•The text should be age appropriate and culturally sensitive.
•Text and pictures should be free of prejudice and
stereotypes.

30. Follow up activities
Many activities can enhance the effectiveness of the text.
• Draw a picture related to the text.
• Write what happens to the characters next.
• Perform a puppet show.
• Write a song about how the character feels.
• Write a poem about the subject matter.
• Rewrite the story from another character’s viewpoint.
• Discuss other ways the characters could have handled the
situation. What could they have done better? How would you
have handled the situation.

31. Keep in mind…
• Use caution when dealing with controversial
subject matter. (drugs, sexuality, incarceration)
You might meet some resistance.
• Become familiar with the text before sharing it
with a child.
• Learn about the child and what they need.

32. More suggestions…
• In a school setting, read to a small group of
children as to not single an individual child
out.
• Bibliotherapy is meant to be therapeutic!

33. Source:

34. III
Bibliotherapy Workshop Using
the Reference Craft: “Boldly
Live as You’ve Never Lived
Before” By: Richard Raben &
Hiyaguha Cohen (1995)

35. Hearing and listening from a book
talker, here is a brief summary of the
reaction paper about “Life lessons
from Star Trek which is the object of
Raven & Cohen’s book as extracted
from a composition written by Ms.
Rosalinda L. Timbol (2nd Sem. 2010-
2011)

36. “The said book talk is very
educational and well-timed for
the occasion. It is about the
potential of an individual either
to be a Leader, a Warrior, an
Analyst or Relater.”

37. A Leader
Kirk Picard
Another Leader

38. A warrior
Worf Kira Another warrior

39. An Analyst
Another Analyst
Tuvok Spock

40. A Relater
Kes Troi Another Relater

41. Leaders * Such as Kirk and
Picard have clear vision, a
deep sense of duty and
justice, as well as an
outstanding ability to take
charge and implement a
plan of action

42. Warriors * Such as Worf
and Kira tackle problems
headed-on, applying
exceptional focus, self-
discipline, and – if
necessary – aggression to
get results.

43. Analysts * Such as
Spock and Tuvok have
the clear headed, un
emotional activity
needed to make
effective choices based
on facts and logic alone.

44. Relaters* Such as Troi
and Kes express
themselves freely, draw
people to them, and
have great compassion
for others

45. Thank You!
Now, its Time for the
: STAR TREK’s
Influence on
maximizing
one’s heroic
strengths and
overcoming
weaknesses

46. Note: After The workshop, let’s have a closing song
Let There Be
Information Literacy
When I find myself in times of
trouble
lookin’ for information
when I really do not know what to
do the librarian comes to my rescue

47. And in the world of darkness
seekin’ for the light to shine on
me
I really find no other comfort
than in the library

48. Let there be, let there be
someone who’s an expert in ICT,
an expert in information literacy

49. Let there be, let there be
approachable librarian who will
help me
become an effective user
of the library