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Theories behind the presence and absence of libraries in correctional institutions can be deduced from information on their history, their proponents, and their budgets. Theories range from punitive to religious, humanitarian, educational and legalistic. The therapeutic theory of library access for inmates would further advance library service, but it is as yet unaccepted. The history of prison libraries up to 1950 shows that the punitive, religious, humanitarian and educational theories variously held sway. In the late 1950's and early 1960's, although some encouraging events took place, only three successful library programs were reported; all other projects were in the form of surveys, speeches and plans. More recently, the prison law library has become a hot issue, and it has introduced a new basis for library access to inmates--that of legal right. The basis of library service to prisoners should be changed from legal necessity to rehabilitation. One must refer to the literature of bibliotherapy to find an explanation of how books can be therapeutic and to find suggestions of programs and methods. There are significant projects for correctional institutions that demonstrate that bibliotherapy is one means to a truly rehabilitative phase of correctional library theory. (JB)

A series of institutes for adult service librarians was conducted by the Library School of the University of Wisconsin. This volume contains selected papers from each of the three Institutes: Reading Guidance, Library Services for New Literates, and Serving Readers through Hospital and Institution Libraries. The topics of these selected papers are: Reading Guidance as a Basic Library Service, Anthropological Perspectives on Reading, The Art of Reading Guidance, The Bold New Approach, Reader Services and Bibliotherapy, Counseling and Bibliotherapy for the General Reader, Bibliotheraputic Aspects of Public Library Services to Patients in Hospitals and Institutions, Role of the Librarian on the Interdisciplinary Team, Role of the Public and Institution Libraries in Helping the Patient Transfer from Institution to the Community, and An Inmate Tells About Library Service. (SJ)

This volume of select papers from The Sixteenth Perspectives in Reading Conference addresses itself to the theme of the conference, "Reading, Children's Books, and Our Pluralistic Society." The speakers themselves represented a wide range of professional functioning. The papers discuss how children's literature dealing with minority groups can provide memorable characters with whom minority children can identify, enable children to gain insights into the lives and culture of persons superficially different from themselves, and dispel stereotypes about minority groups. The papers also provide rationales and suggestions for presenting minority literature, samples of such literature, and discussions relating to the field of minority children's literature. (WR)

The author begins with a broad discussion of the background and historical development of bibliotherapy. Through the study of theories, observations, personal opinions and comments, it is concluded that the field of bibliotherapy is a very subjective one. It is recommended that libraries increase their bibliotherapeutic role. (SG)

Bibliotherapy, identifying with a storybook character, is one of the best ways for a child to gain insight into himself and to have a better understanding of himself and others. To begin this technique, it is necessary for the teacher to become well-acquainted with children's books so that he may be able to give capsule summaries of appropriate stories when the right time comes. The teacher might also categorize books for easy access according to children's problems and needs. Such categories might include problems of (1) appearance; (2) physical handicaps; (3) siblings, place in family, new baby; (4) acceptance by peer group or by oneself; (5) atypical unhappy home situation; (6) economic insecurity and unsettled living; (7) foreign or different backgrounds; and (8) need for diversion. Group guidance sessions are one of the best ways to introduce bibliotherapy. Examples of books corresponding to children's needs and problems and references are included. (CL)

THE QUALITIES WHICH MAKE STORYBOOKS AND PICTURE BOOKS APPEALING TO PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AND THOSE WHICH HELP THEM UNDERSTAND AND MASTER THE USES OF LANGUAGE ARE DISCUSSED BRIEFLY. DIFFERENT TYPES OF BOOKS THAT APPEAL TO PRESCHOOL CHILDREN ARE PRESENTED--BOOKS THAT ENCOURAGE THE HEALTHY EXPRESSION OF EMOTIONS, BOOKS THAT ENABLE THEM TO PARTICIPATE, BOOKS THAT PRESENT THE CONFLICTS AND FEELINGS CHILDREN EXPERIENCE AS THEY GROW, BOOKS THAT CONFIRM FOR THEM DAILY EXPERIENCES AND THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THINGS, AND BOOKS LOVED BY YOUNG CHILDREN FROM ALL SOCIOECONOMIC LEVELS. A SPECIAL TYPE OF BOOK IS ONE THE TEACHER MAKES FOR OR WITH HER CHILDREN ABOUT ONE OF THEIR OWN CLASSROOM EXPERIENCES. THIS EXPERIENCE HELPS CHILDREN UNDERSTAND WHAT A BOOK IS AND HOW IT IS MADE AND THAT WORDS RELATE TO PEOPLE AND EVENTS. BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA FOR THE BOOKS DISCUSSED ARE PROVIDED. THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF ENGLISH CONFERENCE (HONOLULU, NOVEMBER 23-25, 1967). (NS)

Twenty-two papers by different authors consider poetry therapy as treatment for persons with emotional disorders. Its use with the following is described: a psychotic patient, hospitalized schizophrenics, psychoneurotics in a mental health center, and disturbed adolescents. Also discussed are poetry as therapy and as a therapeutic art, principles of poetry therapy, the validation of poetry as a group therapy technique, and poetry as communication is psychotherapy. The use of poetry in individual psychotherapy and in a private mental hospital is described, as are poetry therapy in a self help group, in a specialized school for the disturbed, and in a counseling center. Further topics include poetry as a way to fuller awareness, metamessages and self discovery, the Psalms as psychological and allegorical poems, the universal language of rhythm, the patient's sense of the poem, and a curriculum proposal for training poetry therapists. A tribute to Eli Greifer, a pioneer in therapeutic poetry, is included, as is an appendix listing poems suitable for use in therapy poetry. (LE)

As part of the program for developing library services in Ohio state institutions, a conference was held to consult institution administrators and specialists. Specific purposes of the conference were: to discuss the value of library services with superintendents or designated representatives; to show how library services contribute to the rehabilitative, correctional, medical and other purposes of correctional institutions, mental hygiene institutions, Youth Commission agencies and camps; to show how the State Library can help state institution libraries through resources, federal aid and consultant services; and to challenge the group to set goals for divisional and institutional action toward development or improvement of library services. This report includes papers given on these topics: rehabilitation of alcoholics, including the use of books; how library service can advance an institution's goals; the State Library and institution library service; and the current status of Ohio institution libraries. (Author/JB)

Paper presented at the Workshop on Areas of Library Services of Concern to Hospital and Institutional Libraries (Kansas City, June 23, 1968).

THIS BIBLIOGRAPHY UPDATES CHARACTER FORMATION THROUGH BOOKS--AN APPLICATION OF BIBLIOTHERAPY TO THE BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS OF CHILDHOOD (1952). IT IS DESIGNED TO AID THE DEVELOPMENT OF WHOLESOME PRINCIPLES OF CONDUCT AND THE PREVENTION OF DELINQUENCY THROUGH THE THERAPEUTIC USE OF BOOKS IN WHICH GOOD CHARACTER TRAITS ARE EMBODIED. THE 507 TITLES, FOR PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN THROUGH GRADE NINE ARE CLASSIFIED INTO 24 SUBJECT CATEGORIES. THE GRADE LEVEL, AUTHOR, A SHORT ANNOTATION (INCLUDING CHARACTER TRAITS INCORPORATED IN THE BOOK), PUBLISHER, AND PRICE ARE GIVEN. A SECTION OF SELECTED READINGS FOR ADULTS INTERESTED IN BIBLIOTHERAPY, A DIRECTORY OF PUBLISHERS, AND INDEXES OF AUTHORS, TITLES, AND BEHAVIORS ARE ALSO INCLUDED. THIS DOCUMENT WAS PUBLISHED BY THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA PRESS, WASHINGTON, D. C. 20017, $1.95 PAPER BOUND, $3.75 CLOTH BOUND. (JA)

This volume is an attempt to provide literature that will enhance through vicarious experience and emotional involvement the adult's understanding of the principles of child development. The selections are organized into categories and cross-indexed with most of the standard texts in child development and psychology. It is divided into ten major sections: (1) Early Development, (2) Personality Development, (3) Emotional Development, (4) Intellectual Development, (5) Communication, (6) The Meaning of Play, (7) The Handicapped Child, (8) Home Influences, (9) School Influences, and (10) Societal Influences. (CK)

This eighth edition of Dr. George Spache's book contains several hundred previously unlisted books for poor readers. The first four chapters deal with book selection practices of children and of adults for children with bibliotherapy and with readability. The remaining ten chapters are extensive annotated listings of children's books, reading materials, teaching guides, and instructional materials arranged by type: trade books, textbooks and games, series books, programmed materials, and so on. Resources for teachers of the disadvantaged and on auditory and visual perception are also listed. The appendix includes a full description of the Spache Readability Formula, an author and a title index, and a publishers' directory. (TO)

The paper presents the results of research on children’s metaphorical predispositions, i.e. the ability to understand, recognize and create metaphors. The research was carried out among children aged 6–9 during reading workshops as part of the 5 Coupons of Culture of the Malopolska Region, acquired by the author. The material is an attempt to indicate the value of literary metaphors in the education, therapy and upbringing of children. The literary metaphors used during the research have created planes that enable individual reading of the meaning of the text. In understanding the meanings of metaphors, the context of their use also played an important role. “Load-bearing” provided the texts with simple and legible metaphors, while at the same time appealing to young audiences. Thanks to metaphors, the world created in reading became universal, but young readers related it to personal experiences, discovering the convergence between their own lives and the creation of a work. It is worthwhile extracting and using the didactic and therapeutic dimension of metaphors in working with children and treat it as an important factor supporting the teaching process.

This paper details the treatment offered to college students who present sexual problems, an approach combining dynamic counseling and direct instruction attuned to students' developmental needs. The focus is determined both by the authors' theoretical model, which establishes four broad categories for assessing student sexual concerns, and by the specific presenting problem.

This paper describes the involvement of patients in the Patients' Library at McLean Hospital, and the relationship between them and the librarian in library activities. The publication of a patients' magazine is discussed, with case histories of persons who had taken part in its production. The Patients' Librarian has a personal role in patient therapy, and accounts are given of various activities such as play-reading, poetry-reading, and the discussion of poems by established writers, with therapeutic aims in view. Actual clinical experiences are given.