Books on Prescription: Bibliotherapy in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Bibliotherapy is a concept that has been used in hospital libraries to help improve patient well-being for decades. In the United Kingdom, public libraries have taken over the impetus for running schemes using books to help people with conditions such as depression and anxiety. These Books on Prescription schemes have proven popular with medical professionals and patients alike. This article situates current work within the history of bibliotherapy, before a practical outline of current techniques is presented, with suggestions as to how this work can be used in hospital libraries in partnership with medical staff.

KEYWORDS:

• bibliotherapy
• hospital libraries
• patient well-being

Notes

Comments and suggestions should be sent to the Column Editors: Grace A. Ajuwon (E-mail: [email protected]); Peggy Fong (E-mail: [email protected]); or Amanda Ross-White (E-mail: [email protected]).