People Team AI Ask about a date

How exposed to AI is a Library Technician?

Of the 35 tasks O*NET lists for library technicians, 9 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
Circulation ClerkLibrary AideLibrary AssistantLibrary AssociateLibrary ClerkLibrary Media TechnicianLibrary SpecialistLibrary Technical Assistant (LTA)Library TechnicianPage Technician
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
35
tasks rated for this occupation
31%
hold a degree, from a survey of 28
73k
people do this job in the US
12 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

9
  • Help patrons find and use library resources, such as reference materials, audio-visual equipment, computers, and other electronic resources and provide technical assistance when needed
  • Catalogue and sort books and other print and non-print materials according to procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas
  • Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects
  • Maintain and troubleshoot problems with library equipment, including computers, photocopiers, and audio-visual equipment
  • Design posters and special displays to promote use of library facilities or specific reading programs at libraries
  • Review subject matter of materials to be classified and select classification numbers and headings according to classification systems
  • Compose explanatory summaries of contents of books and other reference materials
  • Prepare volumes for binding
  • Compile bibliographies and prepare abstracts on subjects of interest to particular organizations or groups

Only with software built on top

18
  • Reserve, circulate, renew, and discharge books and other materials
  • Answer routine telephone or in-person reference inquiries, referring patrons to librarians for further assistance, when necessary
  • Process print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections
  • Enter and update patrons' records on computers
  • Compile and maintain records relating to circulation, materials, and equipment
  • Take actions to halt disruption of library activities by problem patrons
  • Collect fines and respond to complaints about fines
  • Conduct reference searches, using printed materials and in-house and online databases
  • Compile data and create statistical reports on library usage
  • Process interlibrary loans for patrons
  • Order all print and non-print library materials, checking prices, figuring costs, preparing order slips, and making payments
  • Send out notices about lost or overdue books
  • Retrieve information from central databases for storage in a library's computer
  • Verify bibliographical data for materials, including author, title, publisher, publication date, and edition
  • Organize and maintain periodicals and reference materials
  • Design, customize, and maintain databases, web pages, and local area networks
  • Collaborate with archivists to arrange for the safe storage of historical records and documents
  • File catalog cards according to system used

Cannot be sped up

8
  • Deliver and retrieve items throughout the library by hand or using pushcart
  • Check for damaged library materials, such as books or audio-visual equipment, and provide replacements or make repairs
  • Train other staff, volunteers, or student assistants and schedule and supervise their work
  • Issue identification cards to borrowers
  • Plan and conduct children's programs, community outreach programs, and other specialized programs, such as library tours
  • Claim missing issues of periodicals and journals
  • Sort and deliver library mail and packages
  • Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment, such as projectors, tape recorders, and videocassette recorders
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.