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How exposed to AI is a Library Assistants, Clerical?

Of the 33 tasks O*NET lists for library assistants, clerical, 9 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 12 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
Acquisitions AssistantCataloging AssistantLibrary AideLibrary AssistantLibrary AssociateLibrary Circulation AssistantLibrary Clerical AssistantLibrary ClerkLibrary Services Assistant
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
33
tasks rated for this occupation
5%
hold a degree, from a survey of 31
78k
people do this job in the US
35 of 51
least protected in office and admin

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

9
  • Answer routine inquiries and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians
  • Perform clerical activities, such as answering phones, sorting mail, filing, typing, word processing, and photocopying and mailing out material
  • Provide assistance to librarians in the maintenance of collections of books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, and audio-visual and other materials
  • Send out notices and accept fine payments for lost or overdue books
  • Prepare library statistics reports
  • Operate small branch libraries, under the direction of off-site librarian supervisors
  • Plan or participate in library events and programs, such as story time with children
  • Design or maintain library web site and online catalogues
  • Acquire books, pamphlets, periodicals, audio-visual materials, and other library supplies by checking prices, figuring costs, and preparing appropriate order forms and facilitating the ordering process by providing such information to others

Only with software built on top

12
  • Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures
  • Enter and update patrons' records on computers
  • Inspect returned books for condition and due-date status and compute any applicable fines
  • Maintain records of items received, stored, issued, and returned and file catalog cards according to system used
  • Register new patrons and issue borrower identification cards that permit patrons to borrow books and other materials
  • Process new materials including books, audio-visual materials, and computer software
  • Review records, such as microfilm and issue cards, to identify titles of overdue materials and delinquent borrowers
  • Schedule, supervise, and train clerical workers, volunteers, student assistants, and other library employees
  • Repair books using mending tape, paste, and brushes or prepare books to be sent to a bindery for repair
  • Prepare, store, and retrieve classification and catalog information, lecture notes, or other information related to stored documents, using computers
  • Select substitute titles when requested materials are unavailable, following criteria such as age, education, and interests
  • Perform accounting and bookkeeping activities, such as invoicing, maintaining financial records, budgeting, and handling cash

Cannot be sped up

12
  • Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas
  • Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audio-visual equipment
  • Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-of-date items
  • Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans
  • Instruct patrons on how to use reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems
  • Maintain library equipment, such as photocopiers, scanners, and computers, and instruct patrons in proper use of such equipment
  • Take action to deal with disruptive or problem patrons
  • Deliver and retrieve items to and from departments by hand or using push carts
  • Assist in the preparation of book displays
  • Classify and catalog items according to content and purpose
  • Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment
  • Place books in mailing containers, affix address labels, and secure containers with straps for mailing to blind library patrons
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.