Reading Well
Reading Well is a national scheme that helps people manage their own health and well-being through recommended self-help books selected by health professionals. These titles can be reserved free of charge.
The Reading Well schemes cover:
- Adult Mental Health
- Young People’s Mental Health
- Children’s Mental Health
- New parents (Reading Well for Families)
- Dementia
Visit the Reading Agency website to find out more about the Reading Well scheme.
How can I access these collections?
Any book from these collections can be ordered from your nearest Somerset library for free or on the LibrariesWest website. If you would like to browse the collections in person you will find them in the following libraries. Collections vary in size according to the size of the library.
- Adult, Young People and Children’s Mental Health, and Reading Well for Families – all libraries
- Dementia Collection – Bridgwater, Burnham, Chard, Frome, Minehead, Street, Taunton, Wellington, Wells, Wincanton, Yeovil.
Many titles can also be accessed for free as e-books and e-audiobooks. Find out how to access e-resources on our Digital Books, Audiobooks and Magazines page.
Title Lists
Somerset Neurodiversity Collection
Our neurodiversity book collection covers a wider range of conditions associated with neurodiversity, including ADHD , demand avoidance, dyslexia and dyspraxia. The collection includes 50 books and aims to provide ‘something for everyone’ including books for children, young people, adults, parents, women and those without an official diagnosis but who experience neurodivergent traits.
The collection is shelved at 20 libraries across Somerset, but is available to request for free from any Somerset Library. Books have a longer 6 week loan period and there are no late fees payable on them.
The collection is available at Burnham-on-Sea, Bridgwater, Chard, Cheddar, Crewkerne, Dulverton, Frome, Glastonbury, Ilminster, Langport, Martock, Minehead, Priorswood, Shepton Mallet, Taunton, Wells, Wellington, Williton, Wincanton and Yeovil.
Somerset Death Positive Libraries
As a Death Positive Library Service, we have book collections focused on dying, death and grief. These are available to loan from 4 of our libraries – Burnham-on-Sea, Frome, Wellington and Yeovil.
Somerset Menopause Collection
The staff at Somerset Libraries have collated a list of books to help you understand and learn about the menopause. Found out more on our Menopause – Glass Box page.