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LoveReading relaunches with online bookshop to tackle book funding crisis in schools
LoveReading is relaunching with a new online bookshop to tackle the book funding crisis in schools.
The website was started 17 years ago to help readers find their next book. The latest move, in partnership with Gardners, will enable readers to purchase books directly from its website, with up to 25% of the cover price being donated to a school. Readers will also receive 10% off the r.r.p. on a number of titles.
The move comes in response to research by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education that the school funding crisis means 60% of classrooms have no access to a budget for new books.
For books ordered and directly allocated to a particular school, the school will receive 25% of the cover price from each sale. When a sale is made and not attributed to a specific school, 10% of the cover price will go into a pot that will then be split between LoveReading’s school members, prioritising a percentage for schools in particular need and supporting pupils in deprived areas
Deborah Maclaren, m.d. of LoveReading, said: “Six out of 10 teachers have no budget to buy new books for students. We feel that is a tragedy. We have reading at our core because books change lives. Inspiring a love of books is one of the best ways to prepare children for a lifetime of learning, encouraging enjoyment of books and creating curious and engaged readers for life.
“As chair of governors of a local school in south-east London, I see the impact first hand of declining school budgets. Reading really matters. There is now a deep recognition of the fundamental importance of improving reading standards on a child’s future academic achievement, wellbeing, and success in life. We are very proud of this programme and hope book lovers everywhere will support our schools and help buy more books for our nation’s children.”
An advisory board, made up of representatives from the media and wider cultural circles, has been appointed to support LoveReading’s new model. The board includes Teresa Cremin, professor of education at the Open University, Louise Shepherd-Johns, chief executive of the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, and Alison Tarrant, chief executive of the School Library Association.
LoveReading is also offering a new affiliate programme that gives 10% of each sale bought through an affiliate link, to any publisher, author or influencer wanting to share their platform as an alternative way to buy books.
