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R4R @ Rutgers: Reading for Recovery

R4R is a resource geared towards those interested in the use of bibliotherapy, i. e., guided reading, for substance use problems. It was created at the Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies Library in 2015-2016 with the help of an ALA Carnegie-Whitney grant.

Book Selection

Selecting books for the library collection or for a book club to discuss is at the discretion of the librarians, who are familiar both with the needs of their readers and the available resources. Potential titles for the use of bibliotherapy in addictive disorders include, but are not limited to, self-help books, popular culture, memoirs, biographies, fiction, classics, and historical titles.

Sources for reviews on a particular title:

Training in Bibliotherapy

Although there are no officially accredited degree-awarding programs in bibliotherapy, several organizations have taken the initiative to train potential bibliotherapists, ranging from library-related groups to college programs in psychology all over the world. Here are some examples of such programs, which have not been evaluated or endorsed by the Reading for Recovery project, the Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies, the Carnegie-Whitney corporation, the American Library Association, or Rutgers University Libraries.

Sample Materials for Book Discussions

Discussion Sheet with suggestions for discussions including a synopsis & review of the title, a few sample questions, and some guidelines in a printable format (pdf). See more like this under the Download & Share tab.

Recovery Reading Lists on the Web

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