Books on Prescription was launched at Mosgiel Library this month by the Southern Primary Health Organisation (PHO) in conjunction with Dunedin Libraries.
SPHO health promotions and projects co-ordinator Katie Jahnke (pictured) said health professionals and social services would be able to prescribe books which had been reviewed and recommended as beneficial to people's wellbeing in dealing with issues such as anxiety, stress and depression.
People would then be able to take the prescription to a Dunedin Library or the University of Otago Medical School library and get the recommended book on loan.
''These are good evidence-based methods of improving mental wellbeing,'' she said.
The books were to be used in conjunction with counselling and drugs or to help friends of those with mental illnesses understand their condition.
The scheme, which began in the United Kingdom, was brought to Otago and Southland in 2011. It was operating in Central Otago, Queenstown Lakes District, the Clutha and Waitaki.
Mosgiel Library manager Linda Roxburgh said every effort would be made to help people who came in with prescriptions in a discreet way.
The books would be spread throughout the library's collection so readers could pick up titles on similar subjects, she said.
