Library Technicians
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 25-4031.00
Assist librarians by helping readers in the use of library catalogs, databases, and indexes to locate books and other materials; and by answering questions that require only brief consultation of standard reference. Compile records; sort and shelve books or other media; remove or repair damaged books or other media; register patrons; and check materials in and out of the circulation process. Replace materials in shelving area (stacks) or files. Includes bookmobile drivers who assist with providing services in mobile libraries.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Very high· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.054
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.37–0.46· 2 ISCO-08 groups
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
ILO value for each linked ISCO-08 group
- ISCO-08 3433Gallery, Museum and Library Technicians0.37
- ISCO-08 4411Library Clerks0.46
Task-level exposure
Show 27 hidden tasks35 rated tasks · 26 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (74.3%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- 4 rated tasks are not in the O*NET 31.0 task list; their scores are kept as published for O*NET 27.2.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
| Task (O*NET 20.1) | Claude.aiRaw / share % | APIRaw / share % |
|---|---|---|
Retrieve information from central databases for storage in a library's computer.25-4031.00 | 0.022428.1 | 0.069367.2 |
Conduct reference searches, using printed materials and in-house and online databases.25-4031.00 | 0.021627.1 | 0.016015.5 |
Compile bibliographies and prepare abstracts on subjects of interest to particular organizations or groups.25-4031.00 | 0.018723.5 | 0.00928.9 |
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.25-4031.00 | 0.00688.5 | —0 |
Compose explanatory summaries of contents of books and other reference materials.25-4031.00 | 0.00637.9 | 0.00565.4 |
Answer routine telephone or in-person reference inquiries, referring patrons to librarians for further assistance, when necessary.25-4031.00 | 0.00232.9 | 0.00161.6 |
Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects.25-4031.00 | 0.00162.0 | 0.00151.5 |
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Enter and update patrons' records on computers.O*NET Task ID 1689 | 1.0 |
Process print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections.O*NET Task ID 1699 | 1.0 |
Collect fines and respond to complaints about fines.O*NET Task ID 1703 | 1.0 |
Verify bibliographical data for materials, including author, title, publisher, publication date, and edition.O*NET Task ID 1705 | 1.0 |
Review subject matter of materials to be classified and select classification numbers and headings according to classification systems.O*NET Task ID 1706 | 1.0 |
Send out notices about lost or overdue books.O*NET Task ID 1707 | 1.0 |
Design, customize, and maintain databases, web pages, and local area networks.O*NET Task ID 1709 | 1.0 |
File catalog cards according to system used.O*NET Task ID 1711 | 1.0 |
Compose explanatory summaries of contents of books and other reference materials.O*NET Task ID 1714 | 1.0 |
Compile bibliographies and prepare abstracts on subjects of interest to particular organizations or groups.O*NET Task ID 1718 | 1.0 |
Answer routine telephone or in-person reference inquiries, referring patrons to librarians for further assistance, when necessary.O*NET Task ID 18511 | 1.0 |
Maintain and troubleshoot problems with library equipment, including computers, photocopiers, and audio-visual equipment.O*NET Task ID 18513 | 1.0 |
Order all print and non-print library materials, checking prices, figuring costs, preparing order slips, and making payments.O*NET Task ID 18514 | 1.0 |
Compile data and create statistical reports on library usage.O*NET Task ID 18518 | 1.0 |
Reserve, circulate, renew, and discharge books and other materials.O*NET Task ID 1688 | 0.5 |
Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects.O*NET Task ID 1690 | 0.5 |
Conduct reference searches, using printed materials and in-house and online databases.O*NET Task ID 1695 | 0.5 |
Process interlibrary loans for patrons.O*NET Task ID 1698 | 0.5 |
Retrieve information from central databases for storage in a library's computer.O*NET Task ID 1700 | 0.5 |
Organize and maintain periodicals and reference materials.O*NET Task ID 1701 | 0.5 |
Compile and maintain records relating to circulation, materials, and equipment.O*NET Task ID 1702 | 0.5 |
Collaborate with archivists to arrange for the safe storage of historical records and documents.O*NET Task ID 1716 | 0.5 |
Design posters and special displays to promote use of library facilities or specific reading programs at libraries.O*NET Task ID 1717 | 0.5 |
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.O*NET Task ID 18510 | 0.5 |
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.O*NET Task ID 18512 | 0.5 |
Claim missing issues of periodicals and journals.O*NET Task ID 18516 | 0.5 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (31)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Reserve, circulate, renew, and discharge books and other materials. | Core |
| Enter and update patrons' records on computers. | Core |
| Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects. | Core |
| Train other staff, volunteers, or student assistants and schedule and supervise their work. | Core |
| Conduct reference searches, using printed materials and in-house and online databases. | Core |
| Deliver and retrieve items throughout the library by hand or using pushcart. | Core |
| Take actions to halt disruption of library activities by problem patrons. | Core |
| Process print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections. | Core |
| Compile and maintain records relating to circulation, materials, and equipment. | Core |
| Collect fines and respond to complaints about fines. | Core |
| Design posters and special displays to promote use of library facilities or specific reading programs at libraries. | Core |
| 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. | Core |
| Answer routine telephone or in-person reference inquiries, referring patrons to librarians for further assistance, when necessary. | Core |
| 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. | Core |
| Maintain and troubleshoot problems with library equipment, including computers, photocopiers, and audio-visual equipment. | Core |
| Check for damaged library materials, such as books or audio-visual equipment, and provide replacements or make repairs. | Core |
| Compile data and create statistical reports on library usage. | Core |
| Process interlibrary loans for patrons. | Supplemental |
| Retrieve information from central databases for storage in a library's computer. | Supplemental |
| Organize and maintain periodicals and reference materials. | Supplemental |
| Issue identification cards to borrowers. | Supplemental |
| Verify bibliographical data for materials, including author, title, publisher, publication date, and edition. | Supplemental |
| Review subject matter of materials to be classified and select classification numbers and headings according to classification systems. | Supplemental |
| Send out notices about lost or overdue books. | Supplemental |
| Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment, such as projectors, tape recorders, and videocassette recorders. | Supplemental |
| Compose explanatory summaries of contents of books and other reference materials. | Supplemental |
| Compile bibliographies and prepare abstracts on subjects of interest to particular organizations or groups. | Supplemental |
| Order all print and non-print library materials, checking prices, figuring costs, preparing order slips, and making payments. | Supplemental |
| Claim missing issues of periodicals and journals. | Supplemental |
| Plan and conduct children's programs, community outreach programs, and other specialized programs, such as library tours. | Supplemental |
| Sort and deliver library mail and packages. | Supplemental |
0.47/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Reserve, circulate, renew, and discharge books and other materials. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Deliver and retrieve items throughout the library by hand or using pushcart. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Process print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Design posters and special displays to promote use of library facilities or specific reading programs at libraries. | E0 none |
| 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. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Maintain and troubleshoot problems with library equipment, including computers, photocopiers, and audio-visual equipment. | E0 none |
| Check for damaged library materials, such as books or audio-visual equipment, and provide replacements or make repairs. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Process interlibrary loans for patrons. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Organize and maintain periodicals and reference materials. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment, such as projectors, tape recorders, and videocassette recorders. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Sort and deliver library mail and packages. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 73K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 68K
- Change (2025–35)
- -6.4%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $44,580
- Typical education needed for entry
- Postsecondary nondegree award
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37299 | 그 외 사무 지원 종사원 | This occupation is narrower | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 3433Gallery, Museum and Library Technicians
- ISCO-08 4411Library Clerks
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- library assistantESCO 4411.1Same scope
Library assistants assist the librarian in the day-to-day activities of the library. They help clients find the materials they need, check out library materials and restock the shelves.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| K1601 | Documentaliste | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 4210 | Empleados de bibliotecas y archivos | Overlapping, not the same |
| 3733 | Técnicos en galerías de arte, museos y bibliotecas | Overlapping, not the sameprovisional |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 73322 | Berufe im Bibliothekswesen - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Same scope |
| 73332 | Berufe im Dokumentations- und Informationsdienst - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 241 | 図書館司書 | Overlapping, not the same |
| 254 | 受付・案内事務員 | Related, not a match |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources