School librarians are to offer advice to trainee teachers as part of a pound;120,000 scheme to boost reading in schools. The programme follows concern that heads are not prioritising reading because of budget pressures. Figures from Loughborough university show pound;1.90 per pupil was spent on books and reading materials in 2002-3, the lowest rate for 10 years. There is no statutory requirement for colleges to offer training in children’s literature and only a handful do so.
