Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2008

Publication Title

Journal of Poetry Therapy

Volume

21

Issue

4

First page number:

231

Last page number:

235

Abstract

A team composed of one student and two faculty members worked in concert to develop and evaluate a training model for personnel who work with university students in transition. This model utilizes “Bibliolinking” (a newly coined word developed during this research) which is an adaptation of bibliotherapy. The primary purpose for using Bibliolinking is to establish and nourish relationships among Resident Assistants (RAs) and student residents (SRs) via a shared experience with a text such as a novel, short story, article or self-help book. Although, RAs play an important, often counselor-like role, they receive no or little formal preparation for establishing relationships. This project involved the development of a quasi-experimental model and assessment of the Bibliolinking technique. The results indicate Bibliolinking provided increased awareness of materials relevant to the needs of young college students, especially those in transition. When applied by RAs, Bibliolinking not only appeared to meet the needs of SRs but also provided RAs with a lasting and adaptable strategy for building relationships and normalizing challenging experiences.

Keywords

Bibliolinking; Developmental bibliotherapy; Residence life; University students

Disciplines

Library and Information Science | Mental and Social Health

Language

English

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