Emotional Library: A Therapeutic Landscape for Mental Well-being and Community Belonging

Abstract

In response to the growing prevalence and severity of mental health challenges among the general population, public libraries have increasingly assumed an active role in community well‑being. Aligned with China's "Healthy China 2030" strategy and the National Reading Promotion Regulations (effective February 1, 2026), the Hubei Provincial Library launched The Emotional Sanctuary on February 10, 2026. Located on the library's sixth floor, this 350‑square‑meter immersive space integrates reading, audiovisual media, technology, and the arts to support mental health and emotional resilience. Key features include an "Emotional Lotus" touch‑screen mood selector with instant book recommendations, an "Alpha Wave Chair" for sonic brain relaxation, a "Healing Garden" with themed audio and expressive drawing and writing activities, a "Situational Art Gallery" with dynamic video art, and personalized music through "Mood Symphony". User feedback from students, young professionals, retired positive effects on stress relief and emotional comfort. By embracing the philosophy of "well-being as a library service," The Emotional Sanctuary exemplifies how libraries can respond to the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) paradigm in library and information science, offering a replicable model for mental health support within public cultural institutions.

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