Bibliotherapy with State Library Victoria

State Library Victoria

Established in 1854 as the Melbourne Public Library, State Library Victoria is Australia's oldest public library and one of the first free public libraries in the world.

  1. Being our true selves (S2 E6)

    08/08/2021

    Being our true selves (S2 E6)

    Following on from the last episode on believing in ourselves, we explore unlearning the tendency to base our lives on others' expectations and regain our true sense of self. In the last episode of the series, bibliotherapist Dr Susan McLaine asks us what we need to make our hearts swell with joy. This episode features two readings: Blaise van Hecke, Enid Blyton has a lot to answer for, The road to Tralfamadore is bathed in river water: stories from a gypsy childhood, Busybird Publishing, 2018 Charlotte Mew, 'The call', The rambling sailor, 1929

    19 min
  2. Believing in ourselves (S2 E5)

    01/08/2021

    Believing in ourselves (S2 E5)

    In this episode, we explore what happens to us when we let others’ expectations of us define success and failure. It encourages us to think about both the physical and emotional aspects of living our lives based on other people’s expectations. This episode features a reading of: Sheryl Gwyther, Dance of the Lascaux ponies, Touchdown Magazine, Vol 104, No. 6, July 2019

    17 min
  3. Blending in (S2 E4)

    25/07/2021

    Blending in (S2 E4)

    One of our most vital human needs is to feel accepted. This episode reflects on how some of us may change who we are to fit in and feel accepted. This episode features two readings: Elizabeth Flux, One’s company, The best Australian stories 2017, Black Inc., 2017 Jenny Joseph, ‘Warning’, Warning: when I am an old woman I shall wear purple, Profile Books, 1997.

    37 min
  4. Foundations (S2 E3)

    18/07/2021

    Foundations (S2 E3)

    This episode explores ethics and values, the foundations on which we base our lives. It asks us to consider the set of rules we use for adult living. This episode features two readings: Cate Kennedy, Puppet show, The best Australian stories 2015, Black Inc., 2015 Rudyard Kipling, ‘If’, Rewards and fairies, 1910.

    55 min
  5. Routine (S2 E2)

    11/07/2021

    Routine (S2 E2)

    A common coping strategy for many people is to incorporate a routine to try to control our experiences. This episode helps us to reflect on our own coping strategies. Content warning: this episode features a story which explores suicide, death, loss and grief. This episode features two readings: Mat Ward, Routine, [Untitled] issue: eight, Busybird Publishing, 2019 Robert Frost ‘The road not taken’, Mountain interval, published by Henry Holt, 1916.

    47 min
  6. Going out into the community (S2 E1)

    04/07/2021

    Going out into the community (S2 E1)

    Medical experts are saying that agoraphobia – commonly known as the fear of leaving home – is impacting many people as a result of the pandemic. This episode asks how we feel about leaving home and being in situations we can’t control. Content warning: this episode features a story and a poem which explore mental illness, including anxiety and depression. This episode features two readings: Rhiannon Raphael, Why I didn’t leave the house this week, [Untitled] issue: eight, Busybird Publishing, 2019 Anonymous, ‘Poem from someone who suffers from Agoraphobia’, published on the Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria’s website.

    34 min
  7. Our generation (episode 9)

    30/10/2020

    Our generation (episode 9)

    The global health crisis may define the next generation. Bibliotherapist Susan McLaine asks in this final episode, recapping the series, ‘what do we want historians in a hundred years to be saying about our generation?’ This episode features one reading: ‘The lost generation’ by Jonathan Reed, created for the AARP U@50 video contest, published online on YouTube at https://youtu.be/42E2fAWM6rA

    12 min
  8. We are all in this together (episode 8)

    22/10/2020

    We are all in this together (episode 8)

    Coronavirus has no boundaries or sense of social justice. We are all in this together, and we come into the situation with different challenges, strengths, skills and wisdom. Bibliotherapist Susan McLaine explores how we can unite to help each other with these challenges. This episode features two readings: ‘The honour of mateship’ by Peter Jeppesen (unpublished) ‘No man is an island’ by John Donne, published in Meditation 17 in Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, 1624

    18 min
See All (18)

4.7
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

Established in 1854 as the Melbourne Public Library, State Library Victoria is Australia's oldest public library and one of the first free public libraries in the world.

Information

You Might Also Like