You go to your family doctor, who writes you a prescription ­- for a book.

Then you take your script to the library and collect a self-help book on whatever emotional or psychological problem you are suffering.

You could say it speaks volumes for cooperation between medics and librarians. The bottom line is that bibliotherapy (books as a means of providing psychological therapy) appears to work.

The Book Prescription Scheme already operates in West Fife and will now be adopted across Fife by all GP's and community libraries.

Professor Jim McGoldrick, chair of NHS Fife and Councillor Brian Goodall, chair of Fife Council's housing and communities committee which is responsible for libraries, relaunched the scheme on Friday, February 20th at Templehall Library, Kirkcaldy.

Psychologist Alan Freeburn of NHS Fife who co-ordinates the scheme, said: "Most people who use the service find it useful. They realise that they are not alone in feeling, for example, depressed or anxious.

"Reading a book can give them insight and understanding of their condition and some sort of control over it."

There are dozens of titles on the booklist covering topics such as anger management, overcoming anxiety, bereavement, cancer issues, depression, eating disorders, parenting and sleep problems.

Titles include: How To Stop Worrying, Overcoming Binge Eating, Helping Children Cope with Grief, Stop Arguing and Start Talking, New Toddler Taming and The Feeling Good Handbook.

Alan Freeburn said: "The Book Prescription Scheme was launched by NHS Fife's Psychology department and Fife library services two years ago. The books on the list are being borrowed at three times the rate of normal library stock.

"Due to the success of the scheme additional funding has been secured from Glenrothes and North East Fife Community Health Partnership (CHP), Kirkcaldy & Levenmouth CHP, and Macmillan Cancer Support, which has enabled Fife Council Libraries to purchase the books required to expand the service.

"This has allowed the scheme to be extended to cover the whole of Fife. You could say it's the start of a new chapter."

Yvonne Melville, Adult Services Coordinator said "Fife Council Libraries & Museums were delighted when the funding was provided to enable all libraries to offer this service.  With libraries located the length and breadth of Fife we are in an ideal position to offer this type of service in all areas of Fife."

"It is a known fact that reading is beneficial to everyone, the book prescription service is a natural extension to the work carried out by the library service and helps to introduce the benefits of reading to a wide range of people for a variety of reasons.  It does bring a whole new meaning to being 'well read'."

A book prescription trial was so successful in Wales that the Welsh Assembly adopted it for all public libraries. A number of Scottish local authorities copied the scheme, chapter and verse.

In Fife you get temporary library membership. Borrowers can keep the self-help book for up to six weeks and then renew it if necessary. The scheme is confidential and library staff will not divulge information about who is borrowing a book or what it is about.

In the words of Groucho Marx: "Outside of a dog, a book is Man's best friend; inside of a dog it's too dark to read."