People Team AI Ask about a date

How exposed to AI is a Librarians and Media Collections Specialist?

Of the 30 tasks O*NET lists for librarians and media collections specialists, 8 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 8 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Catalog LibrarianInstructional Technology SpecialistLibrarianLibrary Media SpecialistMedia SpecialistMedia TechnicianMultimedia Services CoordinatorReference and Instruction LibrarianReference LibrarianTechnical Services Librarian
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
30
tasks rated for this occupation
82%
hold a degree, from a survey of 58
128k
people do this job in the US
16 of 62
least protected in education

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

8
  • Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information
  • Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials, based on subject matter or standard library classification systems
  • Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary
  • Plan and deliver client-centered programs and services, such as special services for corporate clients, storytelling for children, newsletters, or programs for special groups
  • Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services, and provide information about library policies
  • Compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audio-visual materials on particular subjects
  • Confer with teachers to select course materials and to determine which training aids are best suited to particular grade levels
  • Maintain hardware and software, including computers, media equipment, scanners, color copiers, and color laser printers

Only with software built on top

14
  • Check books in and out of the library
  • Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources
  • Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions
  • Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors
  • Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations
  • Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use
  • Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer
  • Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests
  • Develop library policies and procedures
  • Evaluate materials to determine outdated or unused items to be discarded
  • Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot information access aids, such as databases, annotated bibliographies, Web pages, electronic pathfinders, software programs, and online tutorials
  • Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders
  • Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library
  • Maintain inventory of audio-visual equipment

Cannot be sped up

8
  • Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases
  • Troubleshoot problems with audio-visual equipment
  • Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use
  • Engage in professional development activities, such as taking continuing education classes and attending or participating in conferences, workshops, professional meetings, and associations
  • Represent library or institution on internal and external committees
  • Set up, adjust, and operate audio-visual equipment, such as cameras, film and slide projectors, and recording equipment, for meetings, events, classes, seminars, and video conferences
  • Assemble and arrange display materials
  • Train faculty and media staff on the use of software and audio-visual equipment
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.