The Well Read scheme provides a range of recommended books on mental health issues for you to borrow from libraries across Cumbria.

The books are written by a range of people including those who have experienced mental health problems, psychologists and therapists.  By providing information on specific topics and examples of other people’s experiences, the authors offer suggestions on how to develop useful coping strategies.

How do I access the Well Read books?

The Well Read collections can be accessed at the libraries across Cumbria. These are listed below.

Reading Well

Reading Well Books on Prescription is the first national scheme for England. It builds on local best practice to create a quality-assured and consistent national model and is based on an original scheme developed in Cardiff by Professor Neil Frude.

Reading Well Books on Prescription provides self-help reading for adults based on cognitive behavioural therapy for a range of common mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, phobias and some eating disorders.

All of the books on the Reading Well Books on Prescription list can be found in our Well Read collections.

Follow this link to visit the Reading Well webpage

Library Locations for Well Read book and CD scheme

Allerdale area (9 libraries)
Aspatria Library – Tel. 016973 20515
Cockermouth – Tel. 01900 325990
Keswick – Tel. 017687 72656
Maryport Library – Tel. 01900 812384
Moorclose Library –  Tel. 01900 325190
Seaton Library –  Tel. 01900 325193
Silloth Library – Tel. 016973 32195
Wigton Library – Tel. 016973 66150
Workington Library – Tel. 01900 706170

Carlisle area (5 libraries)
Brampton Library – Tel. 016977 2189
Carlisle Library – Tel. 01228 227310
Denton Holme Library – Tel. 01228 607340
Longtown Library – Tel. 01228 791638
Morton Library – Tel. 01228 607342

Copeland area (13 libraries)
Cleator Moor Library – Tel. 01946 855030
Distington Library – Tel. 01946 832649
Egremont Library – Tel. 01946 820464
Frizington Library – Tel. 01946 810775
Gosforth Library – Tel. 019467 25425
Hensingham Library – Tel. 01946 852921
Kells Library – Tel. 01946 852922
Millom Library – Tel. 01229 772445
Mirehouse Library – Tel. 01946 852923
St. Bees Library – Tel. 01946 822219
Seascale Library – Tel. 019467 28487
Thornhill Library – Tel. 01946 823383
Whitehaven Library – Tel.01946 506400

Eden area (5 libraries)
Alston Library – Tel. 01434 382244
Appleby Library – Tel. 017683 51170
Kirkby Stephen Library – Tel. 017683 71775
Penrith Library -Tel. 01768 812100
Shap Library – Tel. 01931 716644

Furness area (7 libraries)
Askam Library – Tel. 01229 462869
Barrow Library – Tel. 01229 407370
Barrow Island Library – Tel. 01229 894380
Broughton Library Link – Tel. 01229 407480
Dalton Library – Tel. 01229 897921
Roose Library – Tel. 01229 894384
Walney Library – Tel. 01229 471742

South Lakes area (9 libraries)
Arnside Library – Tel. 01524 761649
Ambleside Library – Tel. 015394 32507
Grange Library – Tel. 015395 32749
Kendal Library – Tel. 01539 713520
Kirkby Lonsdale Library – Tel. 015242 71386
Milnthorpe Library – Tel. 015395 63040
Sedbergh Library – Tel. 015396 20186
Ulverston Library – Tel. 01229 404151
Windermere Library – Tel. 01539 462400

Don’t worry if you are not a member of the library – just come along and join. Membership is free. Once you’re in the library the books should be easy to find – they’ll be together in the same section – look for the Well Read logo.

Please see the Library website for more details including an up-to-date list of books and CDs