Library Assistants, Clerical
Office and Administrative Support Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 43-4121.00
Compile records, and sort, shelve, issue, and receive library materials such as books, electronic media, pictures, cards, slides and microfilm. Locate library materials for loan and replace material in shelving area, stacks, or files according to identification number and title. Register patrons to permit them to borrow books, periodicals, and other library materials.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
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
0.098
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
0.46
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
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.
Task-level exposure
Show 27 hidden tasks33 rated tasks · 24 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (72.7%)
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
- 1 rated task is not in the O*NET 31.0 task list; its score is 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 % |
|---|---|---|
Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures.43-4121.00 | 0.039972.8 | 0.013113.0 |
Classify and catalog items according to content and purpose.43-4121.00 | 0.013224.0 | 0.081781.0 |
Instruct patrons on how to use reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems.43-4121.00 | 0.00183.2 | —0 |
Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment. | —0 | 0.00353.5 |
Perform accounting and bookkeeping activities, such as invoicing, maintaining financial records, budgeting, and handling cash. | —0 | 0.00252.5 |
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 2643 | 1.0 |
Maintain records of items received, stored, issued, and returned and file catalog cards according to system used.O*NET Task ID 2650 | 1.0 |
Classify and catalog items according to content and purpose.O*NET Task ID 2654 | 1.0 |
Send out notices and accept fine payments for lost or overdue books.O*NET Task ID 2656 | 1.0 |
Prepare, store, and retrieve classification and catalog information, lecture notes, or other information related to stored documents, using computers.O*NET Task ID 2658 | 1.0 |
Review records, such as microfilm and issue cards, to identify titles of overdue materials and delinquent borrowers.O*NET Task ID 2661 | 1.0 |
Select substitute titles when requested materials are unavailable, following criteria such as age, education, and interests.O*NET Task ID 2662 | 1.0 |
Perform clerical activities, such as answering phones, sorting mail, filing, typing, word processing, and photocopying and mailing out material.O*NET Task ID 18770 | 1.0 |
Perform accounting and bookkeeping activities, such as invoicing, maintaining financial records, budgeting, and handling cash.O*NET Task ID 18775 | 1.0 |
Prepare library statistics reports.O*NET Task ID 18778 | 1.0 |
Design or maintain library web site and online catalogues.O*NET Task ID 18779 | 1.0 |
Process new materials including books, audio-visual materials, and computer software.O*NET Task ID 2644 | 0.5 |
Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures.O*NET Task ID 2646 | 0.5 |
Instruct patrons on how to use reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems.O*NET Task ID 2647 | 0.5 |
Inspect returned books for condition and due-date status and compute any applicable fines.O*NET Task ID 2648 | 0.5 |
Answer routine inquiries and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians.O*NET Task ID 2649 | 0.5 |
Provide assistance to librarians in the maintenance of collections of books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, and audio-visual and other materials.O*NET Task ID 2652 | 0.5 |
Register new patrons and issue borrower identification cards that permit patrons to borrow books and other materials.O*NET Task ID 2655 | 0.5 |
Operate small branch libraries, under the direction of off-site librarian supervisors.O*NET Task ID 2657 | 0.5 |
Assist in the preparation of book displays.O*NET Task ID 2667 | 0.5 |
Schedule, supervise, and train clerical workers, volunteers, student assistants, and other library employees.O*NET Task ID 18771 | 0.5 |
Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-of-date items.O*NET Task ID 18773 | 0.5 |
Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans.O*NET Task ID 18774 | 0.5 |
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.O*NET Task ID 18777 | 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 (32)
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 |
|---|---|
| Enter and update patrons' records on computers. | Core |
| Process new materials including books, audio-visual materials, and computer software. | Core |
| Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas. | Core |
| Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures. | Core |
| Instruct patrons on how to use reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems. | Core |
| Inspect returned books for condition and due-date status and compute any applicable fines. | Core |
| Answer routine inquiries and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians. | Core |
| Maintain records of items received, stored, issued, and returned and file catalog cards according to system used. | Core |
| Provide assistance to librarians in the maintenance of collections of books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, and audio-visual and other materials. | Core |
| Take action to deal with disruptive or problem patrons. | Core |
| Register new patrons and issue borrower identification cards that permit patrons to borrow books and other materials. | Core |
| Send out notices and accept fine payments for lost or overdue books. | Core |
| Prepare, store, and retrieve classification and catalog information, lecture notes, or other information related to stored documents, using computers. | Core |
| Review records, such as microfilm and issue cards, to identify titles of overdue materials and delinquent borrowers. | Core |
| Select substitute titles when requested materials are unavailable, following criteria such as age, education, and interests. | Core |
| Deliver and retrieve items to and from departments by hand or using push carts. | Core |
| Assist in the preparation of book displays. | Core |
| Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audio-visual equipment. | Core |
| Perform clerical activities, such as answering phones, sorting mail, filing, typing, word processing, and photocopying and mailing out material. | Core |
| Schedule, supervise, and train clerical workers, volunteers, student assistants, and other library employees. | Core |
| Maintain library equipment, such as photocopiers, scanners, and computers, and instruct patrons in proper use of such equipment. | Core |
| Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-of-date items. | Core |
| Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans. | Core |
| Repair books using mending tape, paste, and brushes or prepare books to be sent to a bindery for repair. | Core |
| Prepare library statistics reports. | Core |
| Classify and catalog items according to content and purpose. | Supplemental |
| Operate small branch libraries, under the direction of off-site librarian supervisors. | Supplemental |
| Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment. | Supplemental |
| Perform accounting and bookkeeping activities, such as invoicing, maintaining financial records, budgeting, and handling cash. | Supplemental |
| 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. | Supplemental |
| Design or maintain library web site and online catalogues. | Supplemental |
| Plan or participate in library events and programs, such as story time with children. | Supplemental |
0.82/ 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 |
|---|---|
| Process new materials including books, audio-visual materials, and computer software. | E0 none |
| Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Inspect returned books for condition and due-date status and compute any applicable fines. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Maintain records of items received, stored, issued, and returned and file catalog cards according to system used. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Provide assistance to librarians in the maintenance of collections of books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, and audio-visual and other materials. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Deliver and retrieve items to and from departments by hand or using push carts. | E2 structured facilities |
| Assist in the preparation of book displays. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audio-visual equipment. | E2 structured facilities |
| Perform clerical activities, such as answering phones, sorting mail, filing, typing, word processing, and photocopying and mailing out material. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Maintain library equipment, such as photocopiers, scanners, and computers, and instruct patrons in proper use of such equipment. | E0 none |
| Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-of-date items. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans. | E2 structured facilities |
| Repair books using mending tape, paste, and brushes or prepare books to be sent to a bindery for repair. | E0 none |
| Operate small branch libraries, under the direction of off-site librarian supervisors. | E0 none |
| Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Perform accounting and bookkeeping activities, such as invoicing, maintaining financial records, budgeting, and handling cash. | E2 structured facilities |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 90K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 84K
- Change (2025–35)
- -6.4%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $36,910
- Typical education needed for entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
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 4411Library Clerks
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Library clerks issue and receive library materials, sort and shelve books, sound and vision recordings, periodicals, journals, magazines and newspapers and provide general library information to library users.
Tasks
- (a) issuing and receiving library books and other materials;
- (b) placing books and other library materials on shelves;
- (c) performing clerical activities such as manual and electronic filing, word processing and occasional typing;
- (d) maintaining journal subscriptions;
- (e) assisting library users in accessing basic library materials and making interlibrary loans;
- (f) maintaining library records relating to the acquisition, issue and return of books and other materials.
Example occupations
Library clerk · Library filer
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 4411.1This occupation is narrower
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.
- zoo registrarESCO 2621.9This occupation is broader
Zoo registrars are responsible for the maintenance of a wide variety of records relating to animals and their care in zoological collections. This includes both historic and current records. They have the responsibiltity to collate records into an organised and recognised records keeping system. In most cases this also involves submitting regular reports to regional or internatonal species information systems and/or as part of managed breeding programmes i.e. zoo registrars are usually responsible for both internal and external management if institutional records . Zoo registrars also often coordinate animal transportation for the zoological collection.
- archivistESCO 2621.1Overlapping, not the same
Archivists assess, collect, organise, preserve and provide access to records and archives. Records maintained are in any format, analogue or digital and include several kinds of media (documents, photographs, video and sound recordings, etc.).
- big data archive librarianESCO 3433.2Overlapping, not the same
Big data archive librarians classify, catalogue and maintain libraries of digital media. They also evaluate and comply with metadata standards for digital content and update obsolete data and legacy systems.
- exhibition registrarESCO 2621.6Overlapping, not the same
Exhibition registrars organise, manage and document movement of museum artefacts to and from storage, display and exhibitions. This happens in collaboration with private or public partners such as art transporters, insurers and restorers, within the museum and outside.
- file clerkESCO 4415.1Overlapping, not the same
File clerks are in charge of maintaining records of a company and managing forms and information. They organise and retrieve documents when necessary and ensure an efficient working system.
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 |
| K1603 | Bibliothécaire | Related, not a matchprovisional |
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 | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
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 | This occupation is narrower |
| 71401 | Büro- und Sekretariatskräfte (ohne Spezialisierung) - Helfer-/Anlerntätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 254 | 受付・案内事務員 | Related, not a match |
| 257 | 総合事務員 | Related, not a match |
| 259 | その他の一般事務従事者 | 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