title: The public library as therapeutic landscape: a qualitative case study.
abstract: The idea of the therapeutic landscape has been widely used to describe the relationship between place and improvements in mental health. This paper uses data from a qualitative study conducted with people with mental health problems to outline the role of the public library as a therapeutic landscape. It situates the public library as a space that is simultaneously familiar and welcoming, comforting and calming, and empowering. Further, the paper reflects on the impact of proposed library closures in light of these previously hidden benefits, thinking about the library's role as an environment and not as a service provider.
authors.affiliation: Social Science Applied to Healthcare Improvement Research Group (SAPPHIRE), Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, 22-28 Princess Road West, Leicester LE1 6TP, UK. Electronic address: eb240@le.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Liz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brewster
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007990:Libraries; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Mental health; Public library; Therapeutic landscape; Well-being