The scheme was launched in 2013 by the charity The Reading Agency and the Society of Chief Librarians with funding from Arts Council England.
[1] The scheme initially provided reading lists for common mental health conditions (including anger, anxiety, depression, phobias, and self-harm), but extended this offer to include reading lists for mood-busting books, dementia, young people, and long term conditions.
"[3] The scheme is supported by evidence which suggests reading can improve health and wellbeing and its effectiveness is evaluated annually.
[4] Results show that in its first year the scheme reached 275,000 people, and libraries saw a 113% increase in loans of the titles on the list.
[6] In January 2015, the scheme was expanded to include books to assist people affected by dementia, whether directly or as carers.