Abstract:

The development of science in Bulgaria, both in the short term and in the long term, is related to the European Union and its main policies and trends. The orientation, relevance and significance of the research and the used approaches and tools for its implementation are in accordance with the stated intentions to achieve the set indicators for the development of scientific research, according to the National Strategy for the Development of Scientific Research in the Republic of Bulgaria (2017-2030). The strategy aims, through rapid, large-scale and long-term development of the scientific research system, to make Bulgaria an attractive center for cutting-edge scientific research and development of new technologies, to attract and retain young talents in Bulgaria, to strengthen the responsibility of Bulgarian science towards society and vice versa, to raise the international authority of the country in the field of science and, as a final result, to achieve economic growth and a significant increase in the quality of life in the country.

The project entitled "Investigation of attitudes towards the therapeutic potential of reading in atypical situations for the individual" was launched in an extremely difficult period during which the whole world was faced with an unprecedented crisis for modern society caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The research and analysis carried out on the project will serve as a starting point for many future studies of the therapeutic function of reading and will enrich the currently existing scientific information on the subject in Bulgaria.

The importance of the project for the scientific community, citizens and all involved institutions is indisputable, since as a result of the research activity, new knowledge will be accumulated in the fields of theory and application of bibliotherapy. The objectives of the project will contribute to the development of science and education and to the application of scientific results in the service of specific societal needs.

Тhis report provides summarized and analytically presented information about the results achieved by the team of researchers in the implementation of the first stage of the Project; to acquaint the international scientific community with the completed tasks and implemented project solutions, as well as to present the forthcoming activities under the Project.

The main goal of this paper is to promote the final results of the project, objectified in:

• bibliographic resources on the issues of bibliotherapy;
• a website containing up-to-date information on bibliotherapy issues;
• creating new curricula for academic training program for students of Bachelor and Master degrees in Library and Information Sciences;
• analysis of results from nationally representative survey with author's questionnaire;
• scientific monograph, including theoretical and practical issues in the field of attitudes towards the therapeutic potential of reading in atypical situations;
• papers and publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

The report presents the theoretical, methodological and practical results of the implementation of the first stage of the project, which started place in the December 2020. During this time a large amount of research work was carried out, important both in theoretical and in practical terms, as well as significant administrative work in the organization and conduct of activities related to the project.

Keywords:

Reading, Therapeutic Potential, Atypical Situations, Project, Bulgaria.