The European Biblio/Poetry Therapy Conference
The European Biblio/Poetry Therapy Conference was established in 2024 as an annual, English-language scientific meeting for researchers, practitioners and educators in bibliotherapy, poetry therapy and therapeutic reading and writing. Each conference is organised by a national association or academic institution in a different European country.
The fourth conference (4EBPTC 2027) will be held on 16–18 September 2027 at Rami Library, Istanbul. It is the first conference in the series to be held in Türkiye and is organised by a consortium of a public library, a university department and a professional association, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Theme and scope
The conference theme is in preparation. The working title and focus areas below are a draft and will be confirmed by the Organising Committee.
Working title: Biblio/Poetry Therapy Across Cultures: Libraries, Research and Practice (draft)
Istanbul's position between Europe and Asia and the host institution's identity as a public library shape the emphasis of the 2027 conference. The scientific programme addresses four areas:
- Libraries and bibliotherapy. The contribution of public, school, academic, hospital and prison libraries to reading-based wellbeing services; the training and role of librarians as facilitators.
- Cultural and literary contexts. The use of national and world literatures, oral traditions and multilingual materials in biblio/poetry therapy; work with migrant, refugee and multicultural groups.
- Research and evidence. Outcome studies, qualitative research, theoretical models and methodological questions in the evaluation of biblio/poetry therapy.
- Practice, education and professional development. Clinical and developmental applications, curricula, supervision, ethics and professional standards.
The detailed list of topics is given in the Call for Papers.
Aims
- To present current research and practice in biblio/poetry therapy from Europe and neighbouring regions.
- To strengthen cooperation among national associations, universities and libraries active in the field.
- To document the contribution of libraries to bibliotherapy services.
- To support students, doctoral researchers and early-career practitioners.
- To extend the European network to Türkiye, the Balkans, the Caucasus and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Organising institutions
Marmara University, Department of Information and Records Management
Responsible for the scientific programme: the call for papers, the review process, the programme committee and the publication of the book of abstracts.
Ministry of Culture and Tourism, General Directorate of Libraries and Publications
Institutional partner; links the conference with the public library system of Türkiye and supports the participation of public librarians.
Rami Library (host)
A public library of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, opened in 2023 in the restored 18th-century Rami Barracks in Eyüpsultan, Istanbul. The library provides the conference halls, seminar rooms and reception areas.
Bibliotherapy Association (Biblioterapi Derneği)
Professional association of bibliotherapy practitioners in Türkiye; coordinates the workshop programme and practitioner participation.
Previous conferences
| Year | City | Organiser | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Budapest, Hungary | Hungarian Association for Biblio/Poetry Therapy | — |
| 2025 | Jyväskylä, Finland | University of Jyväskylä; Finnish Association for Biblio/Poetry Therapy | Exploring new dimensions of biblio/poetry therapy |
| 2026 | Canterbury, United Kingdom | The Poetry Practice; Lapidus International | Pilgrims of the Page |
| 2027 | Istanbul, Türkiye | Marmara University; General Directorate of Libraries and Publications; Rami Library; Bibliotherapy Association | In preparation |