How much funding it has given to providing organisational infrastructure and resources for the First Minister’s Reading Challenge.

The Scottish Government has allocated £334,144 to enable the Scottish Book Trust to develop, promote and administer the First Minister’s Reading Challenge. This includes teacher resources and marketing materials for every primary school and branch library in Scotland, Reading Passports that are free on request upon registration for the Challenge, the 100 places to start your reading journey resource, prizes for schools and pupils, and a website. Schools can use the new website to register, access resources, interact with the book collection, submit their own reading recommendations, order passports and submit entries for challenges.
This funding also pays for Inspiring Classrooms, which gives schools the opportunity to apply for a small grant to pay for an author to visit their school and buy books or other reading materials for the children taking part, and a dedicated full time outreach worker with a background in primary school teaching. She is visiting schools and libraries across the country and speaking at events and parents’ evenings to provide information and support involvement in the First Minister’s Reading Challenge. She will also be gathering examples and case studies from schools taking part to share online, providing additional support and ideas for other schools.