Accessibility, health and wellbeing in libraries
Contents
Reading Well Books on Prescription
Reading Well Books on Prescription helps you understand and manage your health and wellbeing using self-help reading. It is endorsed by health professionals and supported by us.
Books can be recommended by GPs or other health professional from our reading list and can be borrowed for free from your local library.
Books available
There are 5 sets of books available:
- books covering common mental health conditions - including anxiety, depression, phobias and some eating disorders
- books for dementia - these are divided into 4 categories: information and advice, living well with dementia, support for relatives and carers and personal stories
- books for children - these titles support the mental health and wellbeing of children aged 7 to 11 years old, providing children and their families and carers with information, advice and support for coping with feelings and worries, daily life and getting through a tough time
- books for young people - these titles provide 13 to 18 year olds with support and advice on common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and stress
- books for families - these titles support parents and carers to look after their wellbeing in pregnancy and the early years (from conception to aged two) - the books provide information on wellbeing, mental health and coping with loss
Prescribing a book
Reading Well books can support patients:
- whilst waiting for appointments or treatments
- alongside the delivery of existing services
- as part of post diagnosis information and advice
- as part of a social prescribing conversation:
- You can signpost people to a specific title or list
- Books can be used before, during or following treatment
- Books are available for free from the public library - libraries also offer other health and wellbeing services and activities
Getting a prescribed book
Visit your local library to borrow the recommended book. You can also borrow these books without them being prescribed by a health professional.
If you’re not a library member, ask a member of staff to join you to the library. This is free and you don’t need any ID.
If the book isn't available in your local library, you can request that it's delivered from another library for free. Just speak to a member of staff.
Your book may also be available as an eBook (you need to be a library member).
Last updated 10 June 2025