LOE | Libraries Of Emotions

Inspired by the first phase of the Libraries of Emotions project, LOE for Good organizes books according to the emotions they evoke, helping readers choose based on how they feel.

The project will rely on the methodology developed by Love for Livres, placing emotions (love, joy, surprise, sadness, anger and fear) at the heart of the reading experience.

The project also trains librarians in bibliotherapy, creating welcoming spaces focused on well-being and resilience. They receive training to facilitate these sessions and the participants will be able to delve into their life experiences through this process. The final goal of the experience is to have a positive impact in the lives of the readers by helping them connect to their emotions.

Let’s work together to promote a new and innovative way of reading and encourage bibliotherapy sessions in European public libraries.

Bibliotherapy is a therapeutic practice that uses books and literature to help people improve their mental health and cope with personal issues. It is a form of creative arts therapy. It consider that books influence human emotions and provide emotional connection, insights, and comfort.

Objectives of the project LOE

Empower librarians through capacity-building: Librarians from partner countries will take part in intensive, interdisciplinary training based on the latest findings in cognitive science, emotional education, and bibliotherapy. They will learn to apply new methods, collaborate across borders, and co-create services better aligned with the social realities of their communities.
Design and implement inclusive bibliotherapy services: The project introduces a tech-powered « care solution » using emotional AI to personalize book recommendations and reading experiences, making mental health and emotional support more accessible through literature.
Each partner library will host a dedicated “Library of Emotions” space and deliver 42 guided bibliotherapy sessions, reaching diverse and often marginalized audiences: war victims in Ukraine, migrants and women in Poland, isolated seniors in Lithuania, young people and non-native speakers in Belgium, and individuals with disabilities in Slovenia and Tunisia.

These sessions are designed to support mental health, and to foster societal resilience—by creating safe spaces for expression, dialogue, and shared narratives—and to raise environmental awareness through curated literary selections that explore themes of climate anxiety, ecological grief, and our interconnectedness with nature.
Conduct pioneering research on culture and mental health: In collaboration with Ghent University, LOE for Good will lead the first evidence-based study of bibliotherapy in the European cultural field. The research will explore how curated reading experiences can positively influence mental health, emotional regulation, and civic engagement, contributing to the growing intersection of cultural and health policies in Europe.
Promote local literature: A creative writing contest involving European authors will further enrich the initiative, with new stories crafted around the core values of inclusion, care, and sustainability. These offerings will enhance partners’ digital capabilities, expand library services, and contribute to developing sustainable models that reflect the evolving role of libraries in a complex world.

In addition to these core goals, LOE for Good addresses two key cross-cutting priorities of the Creative Europe Programme:

a/ Digital transformation, by equipping libraries to integrate AI-powered bibliotherapy into their services and by supporting staff with new digital skills.

b/ Support for Ukraine, by working with local cultural networks and offering bibliotherapy tools adapted to the needs of communities affected by conflict.