The key results are presented of a three-year research project that took place within the framework of the targeted research programme Slovenia's Competitiveness 2001-2006. The data on young readers and their mentors offer an insight into the functioning of the reading badge scheme in Slovene primary schools and its integration into the teaching of Slovene, extra-curricular activities and the functioning of school and other libraries. It was confirmed that, for primary school pupils, the key motivators for reading within the reading badge scheme are a free selection of books, i.e. books reflecting pupils' own tastes and interests, and discussion of what they have read with their peers (reading clubs). They are also motivated by visits by writers of children's literature and discussion in a literary chatroom on the Internet, while reading badge motivational material can be a source of inspiration for both readers and their mentors. It was also shown that mentors, to work successfully, need to be better informed and require additional training. The research underlined the importance of the accessibility of the reading material in the school library, as well as cooperation between school libraries and general libraries.
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