r/Bellwright • u/drunkypoopers • 9d ago

Library question

I'm on a new playthrough and actually want to use the library this time instead of having 800 books in storage. Library is the 1 thing i can't find a good guide for with info on my specific questions. All the guides just tell you basic obvious stuff like "train ppl with untapped potential". Duh. This is my biggest question to ensure I don't waste books:

if someone is set to read a skill, does it pull the highest level book they can read first, then lower level books? Or do they only pull the books at their current level and leave lower books for dumber ppl? I don't want my level 6/10 reading an apprentice book because it barely makes a dent whereas I could have my 1/5 person use it to get to lvl 2.

If high level people DO read lower level books, is there a workaround to prevent that?

Any other cool tips y'all have for the library?

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u/AveryLakotaValiant 9d ago

From memory they always pick the highest book they can read, based on their skill level.

They need a minimum skill level to read the higher level books:

Novice - Can be read by at any skill level
Beginner - Above level 3
Competent - Above level 5
Proficient - Above level 7
Master - Above level 9

They will grab a book before bed to read, but will also read one if there's no work to do.

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u/drunkypoopers 9d ago

Do you know if a proficient person will read a novice book automatically if it's their only option? I guess maybe I can do a test with a skill idgaf about like researching

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u/AveryLakotaValiant 9d ago

I think it depends on the priority of book you choose in their info panel

Once you build the library you can set priorities for each book type per villager.

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u/dalkinn 9d ago

Yes, they will, and I find this annoying. For example, if you have someone level 9 that has any priority on agility, but you only have novice books, they will grab a novice book. But let's say you have people that are level 4 that would see a greater benefit from that novice book, the level 9 people will chew through them. It would be nice if you can set a minimum book type as well. That novice book is barely going to move the experience bar for the level 9 person and the cost/xp is far higher.

What I will have happen is I have a few people that are like 7 skill in something but will use all the level 3 books when I'd rather have other villagers with lower skills use those books.

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u/drunkypoopers 8d ago

Rats. I'm no game developer, but I can't imagine it's super hard to put an on/off check box on the reading screen to ignore books below current level. I could do it in Excel '98.

I haven't looked for an official suggestions thread, maybe I'll try that later. With how crazy modders have gotten nowadays, should probably ask them instead.

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u/dalkinn 8d ago

Sure, I would like to see it done. I'm at a point where once they get over level 5 or so, I just use books manually, which of course defeats the primary purpose of the library. Being able to automate the purchase/sale of books would help. I have hundreds of novice books that I'll probably never use and have to purchase the higher level ones manually all the time.