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School Librarians

Education & Traininghighaugment
Projected change (est.): ~-1%
Median Wage (est.): ~$61,660
Employment (est.): ~65K

Overall Exposure

45+15

2025 vs 2023

Theoretical Exposure

63

What AI could do

Observed Exposure

28

What AI actually does

Automation Risk Score

34

Displacement risk

3-Year Outlook (2025 → 2028)

Projected changes in AI automation metrics over the next 3 years based on estimated data.

Overall Exposure

45→60
+15

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Theoretical Exposure

63→78
+15

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Observed Exposure

28→43
+15

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Automation Risk

34→47
+13

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)

Task Breakdown

Catalog and organize library collections and databases
72%β 1
Teach information literacy and digital research skills
30%β 0.5
Curate and recommend reading materials for students
55%β 1
Collaborate with teachers to integrate library resources into lessons
20%β 0

About This Occupation

If you work as a School Librarian, AI is significantly reshaping your role's information management aspects. With an automation risk of 34/100 and overall exposure at 45%, this role faces high transformation in cataloging and resource curation. The highest-impact area is catalog and organize library collections and databases at 72% automation. This is classified as an 'augment' role because teaching information literacy and fostering reading culture require direct human engagement. BLS projects -1% change through 2034. Librarians who embrace AI-powered recommendation engines and digital curation tools will provide more personalized reading experiences.

ISCO-08 classification

Unit group 2622ILO official

Librarians and Related Information Professionals

Indirect mapping — this occupation is linked to the ISCO unit group by a rule-based fallback.

Definition

ILO original text (English)

Librarians and related information professionals collect, select, develop, organize and maintain library collections and other information repositories, organize and control other library services and provide information for users.

Definition & vocabulary source

Source: International Labour Organization (ILO) — ISCO-08 Structure

License: ILO CC BY 4.0

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Official occupational information

  • ONET25-4022.00

    Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

    Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating a library's media equipment.

    View original

Source: O*NET 30.2, U.S. DOL/ETA

License: CC BY 4.0

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Frequently Asked Questions

With an automation risk score of 34%, School Librarians has a low risk of AI replacement. Most tasks in this role require skills that are difficult for AI to replicate, such as complex decision-making, physical dexterity, or deep interpersonal interaction. AI is more likely to serve as a supportive tool.

Our estimated AI automation risk score for School Librarians is 34% for 2025. Estimated overall AI exposure is 45%, with 63% theoretical exposure and 28% observed exposure. The estimated risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is +12 points. All of these are model-generated estimates, not measurements.

The tasks with the highest automation potential for School Librarians are: Catalog and organize library collections and databases (72%), Curate and recommend reading materials for students (55%), Teach information literacy and digital research skills (30%). These rates are our own estimates of how much of each task current AI systems can handle. They are not measurements and are not taken from any external dataset.

We estimate a -1% employment change for School Librarians between 2024 and 2034. This is our own estimate, not a figure published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Combined with an estimated overall AI exposure of 45%, this occupation faces both traditional labor market shifts and AI-driven transformation. Workers should monitor both employment trends and AI capability growth.

Since AI primarily augments capabilities in this role, professionals in School Librarians should embrace AI as a productivity multiplier. Focus on learning to use AI tools effectively, developing higher-order analytical and creative skills, and positioning yourself as someone who can leverage AI to deliver greater value.

Recent AI Impact Changes

Mar 2026: New evergreen blog post analyzing AI impact on school librarians — 34% automation risk, information literacy teaching grows critical.

[Source: AI Changing Work Blog]