LOVE FOR LIVRES

Inspired by the first phase of the Libraries of Emotions project (LOE – 2020–2022), supported by the European Commission’s Creative Europe programme, LOE for Good builds on a network of pioneering libraries committed to social and cultural innovation. The project is based on an original methodology that organises books according to the emotions they evoke, enabling readers to choose their reading materials based on their emotional states and needs.

Originally developed by Love for Livres and shared within the framework of the project, this methodology places fundamental emotions — love, joy, surprise, sadness, anger and fear — at the heart of the reading experience. Reading is thus considered a powerful lever for self-understanding, emotional regulation and social connection, accessible to all within local cultural spaces.

LOE for Good also provides training for librarians in bibliotherapy and in the facilitation of guided reading programmes, through the creation of dedicated, welcoming and safe spaces within libraries, focused on well-being and resilience. Librarians are trained to design and facilitate these sessions, during which participants can explore their life experiences through reading and dialogue, structured around three key themes: well-being and mental health, environmental awareness, and societal resilience.

The overall objective is to generate a positive and lasting impact on readers’ lives by fostering both self-connection and relationships with others.

Let us work together to promote a new, innovative approach to reading and to support the implementation of bibliotherapy sessions in public libraries across Europe.

Bibliotherapy is a supportive, care-oriented practice that uses books and literature to promote mental well-being, encourage emotional expression and help individuals cope with situations of vulnerability. In line with essential ethical principles, it is important to stress that bibliotherapy is not a medical practice in the strict sense and does not, under any circumstances, replace medical or psychological treatment.

Bibliotherapy lies at the intersection of cultural, educational and care practices, recognising the capacity of books to provide symbolic, emotional and cognitive resources.

Objectives of the LOE Project

Strengthening librarians’ competencies : Librarians from partner countries will take part in intensive, interdisciplinary training programmes grounded in the latest research in cognitive sciences, emotional education and bibliotherapy. They will learn to apply new methodologies, collaborate across borders and co-create services that are better aligned with the social realities of their communities.
Designing and implementing inclusive bibliotherapy services : The project introduces a technological “care solution” based on emotional AI, designed to personalise book recommendations and reading experiences. This approach makes mental and emotional health support more accessible through literature, while strengthening libraries’ capacity to respond to emerging social needs.

Each partner library will host a dedicated Library of Emotions space and will deliver six guided bibliotherapy sessions, reaching diverse and often marginalised audiences, including war-affected populations in Ukraine; migrants and women in Poland; isolated seniors in Lithuania; young people and non-French-speaking audiences in Belgium; as well as people with disabilities, women and young people in Slovenia and Tunisia.

These sessions aim to support mental health and strengthen societal resilience by creating safe spaces for expression, dialogue and shared narratives. They also integrate an environmental awareness dimension, through curated literary selections addressing eco-anxiety and the interdependence between human beings and nature.
Conducting pioneering research on culture and mental health : In collaboration with Ghent University, LOE for Good is carrying out the first evidence-based study on bibliotherapy within the European cultural sector. This research analyses the impact of guided reading experiences on mental health, emotional regulation and civic engagement, contributing to the growing convergence between cultural and health policies in Europe and Tunisia.
Promoting local literary creation and artists : A creative writing competition involving European and Tunisian authors enriches the project through the production of original literary works grounded in the values of inclusion, care and sustainability. These creations contribute to the enrichment of library services and to the emergence of sustainable cultural models aligned with the evolving role of libraries in an increasingly complex world.

In addition to these core objectives, LOE for Good addresses two major cross-cutting priorities of the Creative Europe programme:

a. Digital transformation, by supporting libraries in integrating AI-assisted bibliotherapy and developing new professional skills;

b. Support for Ukraine, through collaboration with local cultural networks and the adaptation of bibliotherapy tools to the needs of communities affected by the conflict.

Through LOE for Good, we promote and disseminate bibliotherapy by training a wide range of professionals across Europe and Tunisia.

If this project is of interest to you and you would like to contribute or simply receive further information, please contact us