Library as a Space for Psychosocial Support for Users in Conditions of Martial Law
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32461/2409-9805.3.2025.350571Keywords:
library, public libraries, psychosocial support space, user, service, innovative activity, projects, bibliotherapy, competence, communicationAbstract
The purposes of the article to identify the practical experience of Ukrainian libraries as spaces for psychosocial support for users in conditions of martial law and to highlight promising areas for this activity. Research methodology is based on the application of general scientific methods of cognition (analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalisation) and special methods (content analysis of library websites) at the empirical and theoretical levels, which helped to comprehensively study various aspects of the research. The scientific novelty. The article examines the practical experience of Ukrainian libraries in providing psychosocial support to users in conditions of martial law and identifies promising areas for this activity. Conclusions. The article examines the peculiarities of using psychosocial support projects in library activities at the present stage. It has been established that supporting the mental and psycho-emotional health of the population is one of the priority areas of activity for libraries in Ukraine, which act as social centres for the community in times of crisis, stress, conflict, and during military operations. It has been found that the key tasks of libraries are: ensuring broad access to information about mental health that helps users cope with stress and life difficulties; organising consultations with psychologists and other forms of psychological support; organising events aimed at developing mental health and social adaptation; developing methods for using books as a universal means of emotional recovery and personal development. It has been established that the use of bibliotherapy is a tool for psychosocial support that helps to overcome stress and depression and restore mental health with the help of books. Promising areas for the further development of libraries as spaces for psychosocial support and user services have been identified. Directions for further scientific research have been outlined.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Людмила Прокопенко
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
