Books on prescription: How reading can support health outcomes

Developed by The Reading Agency and Libraries Connected, the programme provides free, evidence-based reading recommended by professionals and people with lived experience. With growing pressure on health and care services, Reading Well offers a cost-effective, preventative programme embedded in public libraries.

Poor physical and mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing the UK today. One in five adults in the UK are living with a common mental health problem and one in five people aged 8-25 reports living with a probable mental health problem (Mind, 2025). 

An ageing population also means increasingly complex health needs. Over 980,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, a figure anticipated to rise to 1.4 million by 2040 (Carnall Farrar and Alzheimer’s Society, 2024). One in three people will care for someone with dementia during their lifetime (NHS, 2023).

At the same time, evidence shows that adults with poor literacy skills are 1.5 to 3 times more likely to experience adverse health outcomes (Dewalt, et al., 2004), and lower literacy is associated with greater mental health difficulties (Hunn, et al., 2023).

Together these challenges highlight the need for accessible, community-based approaches to health and wellbeing.

Research shows reading can support people’s health: 

• Regular readers benefit from improved sleep, concentration and a better ability to cope with difficult situations (The Reading Agency, 2024)
• Reading helps people to better understand and manage their health through health information, book-based therapy and shared stories that provide support and combat stigma (Hilhorst et al., 2018).
• Reading in childhood is linked to higher mental wellbeing and resilience in adolescence(Sun, et al., 2023).

A nationally representative study from The Reading Agency also found that one in three UK adults would like to read more about how to manage their health and wellbeing. 

Public libraries already deliver a range of evidence-based community health interventions, helping mitigate against the expected increased strain on the health care system (Philbin, et al., 2019). The Public Library Universal Health and Wellbeing Offer underpins libraries’ commitment to supporting healthier communities through services that inform, engage and connect. 

Reading Well is a national books on prescription programme developed by The Reading Agency in partnership with Libraries Connected and delivered through public libraries across England and Wales. 

The programme provides recommended reading to help people understand and manage their health and wellbeing. Books are chosen by health professionals and people with lived experience and are available to borrow for free from public libraries. 

There are currently five Reading Well collections:

• Reading Well for mental health – supporting people to manage common mental health conditions and difficult feelings.
• Reading Well for families - supporting parents and carers during pregnancy and the early years (from conception to age two).
• Reading Well for children – for children 7-11, covering feelings, worries and getting through a tough time.
• Reading Well for teens – focusing on mental health topics including anxiety, depression, body image, bereavement and surviving online.
• Reading Well for dementia – including information and personal stories for people living with dementia, carers and family members including children.

Each collection includes a range of different titles, such as book-based CBT, health information, fiction, poetry and personal stories. Titles are also chosen to suit different reading levels and are available in multiple formats including print, e-books and audiobooks.

Each Reading Well collection is developed using a robust, evidence-based development process. Books are mapped against National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines and relevant policies and research. 

Bespoke book selection panels bring together experts by profession and experience.

Alongside this, the process is underpinned by co-production with people with lived experience of the conditions and experiences covered. Collections are endorsed by leading health bodies and partners, including Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Psychiatrists and British Psychological Society. 
 

People can borrow Reading Well titles directly from their local library or be signposted by a trusted professional such as a GP, social prescriber or public health practitioner.

The simplicity of access, without referral or cost, helps the programme reach people who may face barriers accessing traditional services. Reading Well is designed to sit alongside existing services and can provide support while people are waiting for appointments.  

Each collection is supported by print and digital leaflets, making it easy for practitioners to signpost individuals to specific titles or the full collection.

“I frequently suggest books and resources to people who want to know about their illness and want to learn how to help themselves…It is so helpful to have a well-chosen list with a range of formats” - NHS GP

Reading Well has a strong track record of improving patient health outcomes. Research shows that Books on Prescription:

• Can be an effective social prescribing tool (Hudson, 2019).
• Serve as an evidence-based method of delivering self-help (Frude, 2004).

Since 2013, over 4.3 million Reading Well books have been borrowed from public libraries.
Evaluation by The Reading Agency shows clear benefits: 

• 92 per cent of respondents found their book helpful.
• 81 per cent said their book helped them to understand more about their health needs.
• 90 per cent of health professionals surveyed said the books helped support people outside of consultation time and feel more confident about self-managing their symptoms.

    “The Reading Well books provide a trusted, evidence-based resource that supports patients’ wellbeing.  Reading has the potential to improve emotional and mental wellbeing, encourage positive behaviour change, and normalise conversations about mental health.” – NHS GP

“I[t] has helped me realise what I am experiencing” – Reading Well user.
 

Public libraries and other partners are embedding Reading Well with a range of health and wellbeing initiatives.

Evidence shows that Reading Well is a cost-effective, preventative intervention that supports improved understanding, self-management and awareness. The programme is a core element of the Public Library Universal Health and Wellbeing Offer, helping libraries deliver health and wellbeing information within their communities.

The Reading Agency remains committed to developing Reading Well and exploring opportunities to further embed the programme within local health and wellbeing systems.

We’d welcome conversations with local authorities, public health teams and partners interested in using Reading Well to support their communities. 

We’d also encourage people to visit their local library and find out more about the work they’re doing to support health and wellbeing. 

For more information, contact Gemma Jolly, Head of Health and Wellbeing, The Reading Agency: [email protected] 
 

• Reading Well
• How to Use Reading Resources for Mental Health
• How Reading Well and Social Prescribing Can Transform Patient Care
• Lancashire Libraries: Empowering Young People Through Poetry and Reading Well