{"id":7521,"date":"2021-01-19T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-19T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.playthepast.org\/?p=7521"},"modified":"2021-01-24T10:15:57","modified_gmt":"2021-01-24T15:15:57","slug":"the-museum-and-library-in-stardew-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.playthepast.org\/?p=7521","title":{"rendered":"The Museum and Library in Stardew Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This is a guest post by Alvina Lai. Alvina holds an MS in Library and Information Science from Pratt Institute, and a BFA in Photography and BA in Creative Writing from The New School. Their writing appears in <\/em>The Mary Sue, <\/em>Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the <\/em>NYT’s “Metropolitan Diary”; all of which can be found on their LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Real-world museums and libraries often supplement formal education. They have classrooms, teaching resources, and educators. However, while some institutions play a growing role in their community, some are also losing staff and resources. This particularly true for rural libraries. The Stardew Valley Museum and Library can be seen as an example of this real-world dynamic, neatly encapsulated in video game form. This post will explore Stardew Valley\u2019s<\/em> in-game library and compare its functions as analogous to real-world institutions. Stardew Valley has the population size and diversity, as well as a classroom and community role, that are useful for discussion. I will also look at the financial struggles and shifting staffing needs that are similar to those of real-world models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Speaking<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Game, the Institution, and the Situation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stardew Valley <\/em>is a country-life RPG released by ConcernedApe<\/a> in 2016. While it isn\u2019t the first game of its kind (think Harvest Moon<\/em><\/a>), the library and its staff and patrons are diverse enough, and interact with the library enough, to provide a foundation for discussing some real-world library history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The game starts when the player has inherited their grandfather\u2019s old farm plot, and moves to Stardew Valley where they can farm, raise animals, make friends, hang out in town, get married, participate in festivals, mine, collect materials, craft, attend story-driving cut-scenes, and do all the things one would expect from an open-ended farm life simulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the South East side of the town is the Stardew Valley Museum and Library. It is a small green building with a purple door and roof. It has an awning in the front, where NPCs can stand if it rains. Inside, there is a front desk staffed by Gunther<\/a>. He is the only full-time staff. \u201cGunther doesn’t leave the museum while it’s opened 8am to 6pm, he’s inside during opening hours at the counter.\u201d To the right and down a bit are some brown bookshelves, tables, and chairs; this is the library. Further to the right are some empty display tables; this is the museum. These indoor spaces are all connected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The player learns that the Museum and Library\u2019s entire collection was stolen. The official Stardew Valley Wiki<\/a> states, \u201cGunther, the curator, will ask The Player to help by donating Artifacts and Minerals, as well as finding the missing Lost Books from the library.\u201d In addition, \u201cItems can be rearranged in the donation interface, or by clicking Gunther’s desk once the collection is complete.\u201d The idea of sending the player around to get collectables is not new<\/a>. The Community Center requires collectables too, but it\u2019s mostly farm-related stuff. The Museum and Library\u2019s needs, unlike buildings in town, require exploration. In this game, the player is a benevolent donor and a volunteer curator\/collections manager who is active all across the map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Patrons<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Library as Classroom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Museum and Library has three notable NPC patrons: a young woman, Penny, tutors two children, Vincent and Jas, in the library on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. There is no school in Stardew Valley, so the Museum and Library doubles as a classroom, alongside being a public library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Penny\u2019s use of the Museum and Library as a classroom is a common practice seen in real-world public libraries. I mention in another library post<\/a> that libraries are  perceived as a place of knowledge. Did you know, though, that historically, children weren\u2019t allowed into libraries? In the U.S. for example, the idea of a \u201cchildren\u2019s librarian\u201d only came into existence in the first half of the 20th century. One of the earliest children\u2019s librarians was Anne Carroll Moore<\/a>. Anne Caroll Moore \u201ccame to prominence just after an era when children weren\u2019t allowed in libraries at all. Have you ever been to the main location of the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza? They have an entirely separate side door for the children\u2019s room there. They sort of did at the Schwarzman Building as well, off of 42nd Street. And while working for NYPL, ACM oversaw the children\u2019s rooms and the children\u2019s librarians of that system for decades.\u201d Since then, public libraries have grown to not only allow children, but create learning spaces and classes for everyone from babies<\/a> to adult learners<\/a>. This history is why it is so natural to accept Vincent and Jas in the Museum and Library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public library access, historically, was not equitable for adults too. For example, even though public libraries existed before the Modern era, public library service for blind patrons only began in the late-nineteenth century<\/a>. In United States history, public libraries were segregated and civil rights activists such as the Tougaloo Nine<\/a> and Greenville Eight<\/a> had to fight racism in order to have equal access. The Task Force on Gay Liberation<\/em>, now called Rainbow Round Table<\/em><\/a>, was founded in 1970 and faced backlash and pushback when trying to provide services, representation, and privacy to LGBTQIA+ patrons. Public libraries also have a complicated history in serving homeless patrons<\/a>, with varying degrees of empathy that range from programming and class outreach<\/a> to patron removal. Think about the roster in <\/a>Stardew Valley<\/em><\/a>. Who would or would not have access to the Museum and Library if not for this history of activism?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to the classroom idea, it is now a common expectation that public libraries nowadays will offer classes, public programs, and other activities to the communities they serve. The Public Library Association<\/em><\/a>, which, according to its mission statement, \u201cenhances the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services\u201d also commits \u201cto quality public library services that benefit the general public.\u201d We now know \u201cthe general public\u201d means everyone, and programming must reflect that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take the New York Public Library<\/a> for example. Their website says, \u201cFrom English language classes and technology training to storytimes, we give New Yorkers the tools they need to succeed.\u201d Since Jas and Vincent are library patrons, let\u2019s look at children-friendly programs. Brooklyn Public Library<\/a>\u2019s website states, \u201cFrom storytime to STEM, and from live entertainment to a children’s librarian at every branch, BPL helps establish a love of reading and learning at every age.\u201d Both institutions offer tech-based programs in 2020 because tech literacy is essential in 2020. With the Museum and Library though, there aren\u2019t even computers, so what gives? The key here is size and patron demographic. NYPL and BPL are in NYC, which has millions of people. Stardew Valley<\/em> has less than 50 NPCs. Because of this, there is no need for multiple family storytime sessions, or STEM courses to run at three different skill levels. Serving \u201cthe general public\u201d is important, but librarians must know the public they serve. The Museum and Library is not just a public library, but a rural public library, and that means something. I\u2019ll talk about that later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, we\u2019ve established that the public library can be a classroom. Who is teaching in the library-classroom? In Stardew Valley<\/em>, Penny is the educator. But a library usually has a librarian. Since there is no actual children\u2019s librarian (or librarian at all), does Penny fulfill that role too? According to Competencies for Librarians Serving Children in Public Libraries<\/a>, they believe \u201call children, no matter their circumstances or attributes, need and deserve the very best opportunities, and envisions a future where public libraries are recognized as vital to all children and the communities that support them.\u201d Ideally, this is true for all public libraries, but urban libraries see more children, and have more funding, than a rural library would. We see that lack of resources in the game. In Stardew Valley<\/em>, Penny says<\/a>, \u201cWe don’t have a school here but I’m doing my best to give Vincent and Jas a proper education. Every child deserves a chance to be successful. Jas is very good at math and reading. Vincent is good at… well, he has an active imagination.\u201d She also says, \u201cI’m tutoring Vincent and Jas today… They’re a handful, but it’s nice to make a difference in someone’s life.\u201d So far, she sounds like a children\u2019s librarian, in an underfunded community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The above-stated Competencies also formulate librarian responsibilities in their role as teachers and instructors: \u201cInstructs and supports children in the physical and digital use of library tools and resources, information gathering, and research skills, and empowers children to choose materials and services on their own. Conducts reference and readers\u2019 advisory interviews to assist children and their caregivers with the identification and selection of materials and services, regardless of format and according to their interests and abilities.\u201d How well does Penny do? Well, in Stardew Valley<\/em>, Vincent<\/a> will say, \u201c\u201cMiss Penny makes me read a new book every week. At least she lets me pick them, sometimes!\u201d It seems Penny does that part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, is Penny a children\u2019s librarian? Actually, no. While she fulfills some criteria, there\u2019s more in-depth, nuanced, and complicated work than tutoring three times a week. However, we see an overlap of educator and librarian, and for good reason. Both professions work with resources, education, and people. Just as libraries can be seen as classrooms, librarians can be seen as educators. Of course, some real-world teachers are also librarians. But, the analogy with Stardew Valley<\/em> has its limits. Strictly-speaking, Penny is an educator, Vincent and Jas are her students, and the Museum and Library is their classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rural libraries often pose the same questions I just asked. Who is the librarian? Who is the educator? Who manages the book collection? Who gives the tours and lessons? One librarian in a rural library might also be the curator, educator, collections manager, and archivist (and more). That\u2019s a lot! Sometimes it can be too much, which can hurt a rural library and staff morale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Interior<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Library in a Small Town<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Stardew Valley Museum and Library has no computers. It has no collection either. It only has one full-time worker. To be honest, it sounds like it\u2019s falling apart. Is this an accurate portrayal of real-world rural libraries?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s first understand the situation. A report<\/a> released by the American Library Association (ALA) in 2017 about rural libraries describes it as this: \u201cRural libraries are part of the solution\u2026 often providing the only free public computer and Internet access and assisting patrons in gaining technology skills to pursue employment, entrepreneurship, and education opportunities online.\u201d Real-world rural libraries do a lot for the community. Does the Stardew Valley Museum and Library? It is free and public, and Penny does use it as a classroom. With some updates from ConcernedApe (the game has been out for years, after all), other NPCs visit the Museum and Library too. For example, Harvey, who runs the medical clinic, visits on Saturdays, and Abigail visits on Wednesdays to browse books. Indeed, Stardew Valley\u2019s institution is useful to the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s look at staffing. The report states, \u201cAn average rural fringe library is open approximately 34 hours per week, versus 28 for rural distant libraries and 26 hours per week for rural remote outlets.\u201d Considering how there are less patrons in real-world rural libraries, that makes sense. Looking at the Stardew Valley<\/em> model, Gunther is the only staff. (Actually, Sam, another NPC, can work at the Museum and Library part-time, but you get the idea.) It seems the Museum and Library\u2019s staffing set up is accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What about the architectural design and physical state of the Museum and Library, as a public facility? The report states, \u201cThe average year that an American public library building opened is 1970.\u201d Not only that, but in 2014, \u201cRural libraries were the least likely to report renovations had taken place in the previous five years\u2014about 15 percent compared with a national average of 21 percent or 33 percent of city libraries.\u201d If the Museum and Library looks a little shabby, that\u2019s because it is. Unfortunately, this state of affairs is too often the norm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is causing all of this? The report says, \u201cDespite librarians\u2019 best efforts, building capacity, staff time, and discretionary budgets are often stretched thin.\u201d One big reason for budget cuts is low attendance, or perceived lack of value in the community. For example<\/a>, in Oregon, \u201cLast year, when timber tax receipts dried up, Douglas County voters rejected a property tax increase that would have saved the public library system from extinction. All ten libraries closed. The same thing happened a decade before in timber-dependent Jackson County. In 2006 and 2007, voters turned down two levies that would have funded their 15 public libraries.\u201d For a while, Penny<\/a> seemed to be the only adult NPC who uses the Museum and Library. \u201cWhen it’s raining Penny can either be found inside her trailer or visiting the museum looking at the selection of books.\u201d Only with the updates from ConcernedApe does the Museum and Library see more foot traffic. However, real-world libraries can\u2019t simply program in new visitors. Not enough workers and resources can lead to less visitors, which leads to even less resources, and even less visitors, and, well, you get the idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what can Gunther do? Perhaps he would do well to follow the recommendations of ALA? The 2017 ALA annual report states, \u201cThe most obvious and effective solution to the limitations presented by staffing shortages and small or outdated physical spaces would be a general increase in public library funding, especially at the state and federal levels.\u201d In 2020, The ALA announced plans to award funds<\/a> to small and rural libraries to help address issues of concern in their communities. Issues can range from media literacy to pandemic safety. If the Stardew Valley Museum and Library was a real-world library, and if Gunther wanted to apply for this award, he would have to fulfill a given set of requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, he would need to see if the Museum and Library qualified. Does the Museum and Library serve a small community? According to the announcement, small communities are \u201cthose with a legal service area population of 25,000 or less and rural communities as those more than, or equal to, five miles from an urbanized area.\u201d Stardew Valley definitely qualifies. Gunther would then have membership to ALA or ARSL. Finally, he would have to fill out an application detailing how he would \u201cdevelop and lead a community engagement project\u201d based on an e-course and facilitation guide. That\u2019s the hardest and most complicated part. Who has a need that the Stardew Valley Museum and Library can fulfill?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For real-world libraries, grants and funds like these are important. If they run dry or are phased out, libraries shut down. Sometimes, though, rural libraries end up being run by private companies \u2013 and that\u2019s another story. That\u2019s precisely what happened to some libraries in Oregon mentioned earlier. You could say that this would be something like the Joja Corporation running the Stardew Valley Museum and Library. Luckily for them, the player-patron-benefactor is generous, and helps with the upkeep and replenishment of books and artifacts; thus, the daily routine remains undisturbed for Gunther and his patrons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Exterior<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Stardew Valley<\/em>, Penny uses the Museum and Library as a classroom to tutor Jas and Vincent. While it seems natural to us to hold classes for the public in libraries today, this was not historically the case. Public libraries went through many struggles and transformations that led to the open and equitable institutions they are now; their role and function will continue to evolve as communities grow and change. While Penny is an educator, she isn\u2019t a librarian, and the reason why there isn\u2019t a librarian in the Stardew Valley Museum and Library in the first place might be a result of its patron demographic in rural environments. While the Museum and Library has many quirks, there are enough aspects with its design and role in Stardew Valley<\/em> that make it useful for discussions on the past and future of real-world public and rural libraries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ALA to distribute nearly $2 million in grants to help small and rural libraries meet community needs<\/em>. (2020, September 21). American Library Association. <\/a>http:\/\/www.ala.org\/news\/member-news\/2020\/09\/ala-distribute-nearly-2-million-grants-help-small-and-rural-libraries-meet<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSC Education Committee. (2015). Competencies for Librarians Serving Children in Public Libraries<\/em>. Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). <\/a>http:\/\/www.ala.org\/alsc\/edcareeers\/alsccorecomps<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bird, E. (2019, March 4). The Quintessential Librarian Stereotype: Wrestling With the Legacy of Anne Carroll Moore<\/em>. School Library Journal. <\/a>http:\/\/blogs.slj.com\/afuse8production\/2019\/03\/04\/the-quintessential-librarian-stereotype-wrestling-with-the-legacy-of-anne-carroll-moore\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diehl, C. (2018, September 6). Rural libraries turning more to private sector for lifeline<\/em>. Oregon Business. <\/a>https:\/\/www.oregonbusiness.com\/article\/economy\/item\/18499-rural-libraries-turning-more-to-private-sector-for-lifeline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eberhart, G. M. (2017, June 1). The Greenville Eight<\/em>. American Libraries Magazine. <\/a>https:\/\/americanlibrariesmagazine.org\/2017\/06\/01\/greenville-eight-library-sit-in\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Education<\/em>. (2016, February 16). The New York Public Library. <\/a>https:\/\/www.nypl.org\/education<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feist, A. (2020, April 16). Serving Patrons In Your Makerspace Who Are Experiencing Homelessness<\/em>. Public Libraries Online. <\/a>http:\/\/publiclibrariesonline.org\/2020\/04\/serving-patrons-in-your-makerspace-who-are-experiencing-homelessness\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

History of NLS<\/em>. (n.d.). National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). Retrieved October 18, 2020, from <\/a>https:\/\/www.loc.gov\/nls\/about\/organization\/history\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids<\/em>. (n.d.). Brooklyn Public Library. Retrieved October 18, 2020, from <\/a>https:\/\/www.bklynlibrary.org\/learn\/kids<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knoll, D. (2014, May 19). Babies in the Library: Creating a Truly Baby-Friendly Early Literacy Play Space. Public Libraries Online<\/em>. <\/a>http:\/\/publiclibrariesonline.org\/2014\/05\/babies-in-the-library-creating-a-truly-baby-friendly-early-literacy-play-space\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Levine, M. (2016, June 21). Collaborative Learning in Libraries<\/em>. Public Libraries Online. <\/a>http:\/\/publiclibrariesonline.org\/2016\/06\/collaborative-learning-in-libraries\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Libraries Respond: Services to LGBTQIA+ People<\/em>. (2019, August 19). American Library Association. <\/a>http:\/\/www.ala.org\/advocacy\/diversity\/librariesrespond\/Services-LGBTQ<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Official Stardew Valley Wiki<\/em>. (n.d.). Retrieved October 18, 2020, from <\/a>https:\/\/stardewvalleywiki.com\/Stardew_Valley_Wiki<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PLA Mission and Goals<\/em>. (2011, October 10). Public Library Association (PLA). <\/a>http:\/\/www.ala.org\/pla\/about\/mission\/mission-goals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Real, B., & Rose, R. N. (2017). Rural Libraries in the United States<\/em>. 19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wiegand, W. A. (2017, June 1). Desegregating Libraries in the American South<\/em>. American Libraries Magazine. <\/a>https:\/\/americanlibrariesmagazine.org\/2017\/06\/01\/desegregating-libraries-american-south\/<\/a> Zulkey, C. (2019, June 3). Give Them Shelter?<\/em> American Libraries Magazine. <\/a>https:\/\/americanlibrariesmagazine.org\/2019\/06\/03\/give-them-shelter-library-camping-bans\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is a guest post by Alvina Lai. Alvina holds an MS in Library and Information Science from Pratt Institute, and a BFA in Photography and BA in Creative Writing from The New School. Their writing appears in The Mary Sue, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the NYT’s “Metropolitan Diary”; allContinue Reading<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":7522,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[15],"tags":[582,125,596],"coauthors":[499],"class_list":["entry","author-alai","post-7521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-articles","tag-libraries","tag-museums","tag-stardew-valley"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.playthepast.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/SV_01_open.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.playthepast.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7521","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.playthepast.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.playthepast.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.playthepast.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.playthepast.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7521"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.playthepast.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7521\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7531,"href":"https:\/\/www.playthepast.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7521\/revisions\/7531"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.playthepast.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7522"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.playthepast.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.playthepast.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.playthepast.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7521"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.playthepast.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcoauthors&post=7521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}