Workshop and a public lecture about bibliotheraphy
October 26th - 28th, British bibliotherapist and writer Bijal Shah will lead workshops and deliver a public lecture at Reykjavík City Library.
Bijal Shah will introduce bibliotherapy and explore how reading and literature can support mental health and wellbeing. The visit is part of an initiative to strengthen knowledge of bibliotherapy and its potential applications in Iceland.
Bibliotherapy is based on the idea that books and reading can help people understand their experiences, identify and express emotions, and view their circumstances from new perspectives. The practice has a long history and is now used in a variety of ways within mental health care, education, and wellbeing initiatives.
Bijal Shah is a pioneer in the field of bibliotherapy and the author of Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading. She is also the founder of Book Therapy, a platform dedicated to exploring the emotional and psychological benefits of literature. She works with individuals, schools, organisations, and healthcare providers. Her writing and book recommendations have appeared in publications including The Guardian, BBC Culture, Marie Claire, and Good Housekeeping. Bijal herself has long turned to books as a source of personal wellbeing and enrichment.
Workshop
In the workshop Bibliotherapy, Literature and Mental Health, Bijal will introduce both the theoretical foundations and practical approaches to using literature as a tool for reflection, dialogue, and connection.
The workshop is open to anyone interested in the subject, and library professionals are especially encouraged to attend. Participation is free of charge. Places are limited, and interested participants are encouraged to register as soon as possible. The workshop will be conducted in English.
Participants can choose between two dates: Monday, October 26, or Tuesday, October 27, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The same content will be covered on both days. The workshops will take place at Reykjavík City Library Gerðuberg.
Workshop Registration
Click the links below to register:
Register here for the Bibliotherapy Workshop on October 26
Register here for the Bibliotherapy Workshop on October 27
Public Lecture
On Wednesday, October 28, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Bijal Shah will give a public lecture at Reykjavík City Library Grófin, Tryggvagata 15, titled The Healing Power of Books: An Introduction to Bibliotherapy. In the lecture, she will discuss the history of bibliotherapy and explore how reading can support mental wellbeing, empathy, reflection, and resilience in everyday life.
Following Bijal Shah’s visit, specialists from The School of Literature (Bókmenntaskólinn) will host monthly workshops at Reykjavík City Library Grófin based on bibliotherapy methods. The workshops will be led by Esther Ágústsdóttir, literary scholar and teacher, and Elín Bergsdóttir, career and guidance counsellor, sociologist, and poet.
The workshops and lecture by Bijal Shah are a collaborative project between Reykjavík City Library and The School of Literature (Bókmenntaskólinn). The project received funding from the Icelandic Library Fund in 2026.
Further Information:
Þorgerður Agla Magnúsdóttir
Project Manager | Literature and Reading Promotion
thorgerdur.agla.magnusdottir@reykjavik.is | +354 411 6149
Photo of Bijal Shah: Alex Taibl
