The first time I saw this word, I keep thinking ,”is bibliotheraphy the combination of bibliography and theraphy?” and then, I started to search from the books given earlier by Dr Edwin. Once I started the reading, I began to to discover that literature involves a lot more things than just reading. In my own words, I would say it is efforts that teacher put to teach literature by using literature as a medium of counseling.
From the internet, I found that actually, bibliotheraphy came from two Greek words ; ‘biblion’ which means book and ‘oepatteid’ which means healing. Many teachers and educators claimed that it helps students to deal with emotional problems they encounter.
As time goes by, the term had been defined again and again as the attitude toward the process began to change.
“…a process of dynamic interaction between the personality of the reader and literature-interaction which may be utilized for personality assessment, adjustment, and growth.” (Russell and Shrodes,1950).
“…help(ing) a pupil find a book that might help the pupil solve a personal problem, develop skills needed for living, and/or bolster self-image.” (Shepherd and Iles, 1976).
“…getting the right book to the right child at the right time about the right problem.” (Lundsteen, 1972).
“Psychology through literature-reading that is used to help solve or prevent problems.” (Stadel, 1964).
I also found out that there are specific techniques a teacher can used during bibliotheraphy session. Bibliotherapy can be used for a variety of reasons to help student to overcome problems or situations they are facing or may face. Students have many needs that should be addressed to help them develop a positive self-concept. Physiological needs are the most basic needs that must be met. Students also must feel safe, loved, and the need to belong in a group (family, school, peer, or other). If these needs are met through the use of bibliotherapy, the student will be able to develop a more positive sense of themselves, learn about the world, cope with stress, provide insight into problems and affirm thoughts and feelings It also encourages them to stimulate discussions about their problems, create an awareness of others that have similar problems, provide solutions to the problems, communicate new values and attitudes and find meaning in their life.
