The university's medical library has partnered with the Southern Primary Health Organisation (PHO) to participate in its ''Books on Prescription'' programme.
The programme, which had already been introduced in other parts of Otago and Southland, involved health professionals ''prescribing'' books to help patients cope with common health issues, including anxiety and depression.
University academic liaison librarian Sarah Gallagher said she became interested in joining the programme after seeing it was being used in other regions.
The main purpose of joining the programme was for teaching medical students, who were likely to encounter different approaches to treatment while on placements, she said.
''It's really important for students to know about complementary and alternative therapies.''
Students and staff at the university would also have access to the books and student health services would be able to ''prescribe'' them.
PHO health promotion co-ordinator Katie Jahnke said the books would be a ''fantastic resource'' for staff and students at the university who were having health problems.
''There is good clinical evidence to show that books can be just as effective at treating common mental health problems as other forms of therapy, and with the advantage of having no side effects,'' she said.
The PHO was in discussion with Dunedin Public Libraries about introducing the scheme to the rest of the city, which would likely happen by the end of the year.
The list of books available had been carefully selected by experienced mental health professionals and included John Kirwan's All Black's Don't Cry: A Story of Hope.
