A Source of Improved Well-Being

Reykjavík City Library recently received a grant from the Icelandic Library Fund for the project Books: A Source of Improved Well-Being.

The project, a collaboration between Reykjavík City Library and The Literary School (Bókmenntaskólinn), aims to bring British bibliotherapy specialist Bijal Shah to Iceland to introduce professionals and other interested participants to ways of using books and reading to enhance well-being and health.

Shah is the author of Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading, which has been translated into 12 languages and received widespread acclaim. She has also shared her expertise in bibliotherapy around the world. This will be Shah’s first visit to Iceland.

During her visit, Shah will lead workshops for library staff, teachers, and other interested participants, introducing the principles of bibliotherapy and practical ways to use reading as a tool for improving well-being. Following the workshops, specialists from The Literary School will offer regular reading groups that apply bibliotherapy methods with the aim of supporting participants’ mental well-being and overall health.

Through the project, library staff will gain valuable knowledge about how library collections and spaces can be used to create opportunities for community, meaningful conversation, and peer support.