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AI exposure Education and library

Will AI replace librarians and media collections specialists?

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists. US occupation 25-4022.

20.3%

of the time librarians and media collections specialists spend on their work goes on tasks where AI is already being used to do that work.of librarians and media collections specialists' working hours go on tasks AI has already started taking off their plate.

Ranked 117 of 756 US occupations. More exposed than 84% of them.Further along than 84% of them.

Average US job 7.7%

Well above the typical job.Ahead of most of the workforce.

What AI already does for librarians and media collections specialistsWhat librarians and media collections specialists no longer do alone

O*NET lists 30 tasks for librarians and media collections specialists. AI use at work shows up in 5 of them. Each score runs from 0.5, where every observed use helps a person with the task, to 1, where every use does the task outright.

  1. Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.Core task mostly automated 1.00
  2. Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests.Core task mostly automated 0.97
  3. Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary.Core task mostly automated 0.97
  4. Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.Core task mostly automated 0.92
  5. Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot information access aids, such as databases, annotated bibliographies, Web pages, electronic pathfinders, software programs, and online tutorials.Core task automated and assisted 0.82

What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human

25 of the 30 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.

  • Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library.Core task
  • Check books in and out of the library.Core task
  • Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials, based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.Core task
  • Compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audio-visual materials on particular subjects.Core task
  • Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer.Core task
  • Confer with teachers to select course materials and to determine which training aids are best suited to particular grade levels.Core task
Show the other 19
  • Develop library policies and procedures.Core task
  • Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.Core task
  • Engage in professional development activities, such as taking continuing education classes and attending or participating in conferences, workshops, professional meetings, and associations.Core task
  • Evaluate materials to determine outdated or unused items to be discarded.Core task
  • Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders.Core task
  • Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services, and provide information about library policies.Core task
  • Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.Core task
  • Maintain hardware and software, including computers, media equipment, scanners, color copiers, and color laser printers.Core task
  • Plan and deliver client-centered programs and services, such as special services for corporate clients, storytelling for children, newsletters, or programs for special groups.Core task
  • Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.Core task
  • Represent library or institution on internal and external committees.Core task
  • Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.Core task
  • Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.Core task
  • Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.Core task
  • Assemble and arrange display materials.
  • Maintain inventory of audio-visual equipment.
  • Set up, adjust, and operate audio-visual equipment, such as cameras, film and slide projectors, and recording equipment, for meetings, events, classes, seminars, and video conferences.
  • Train faculty and media staff on the use of software and audio-visual equipment.
  • Troubleshoot problems with audio-visual equipment.

How that compares

Among the 57 education and library occupations, librarians and media collections specialists rank 20. The group averages 12.9%, and its most exposed job is Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary at 43.1%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.

All 756 occupations, ranked

Just above in the ranking

  1. 113News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists 21.0%
  2. 115Counter and Rental Clerks 20.5%
  3. 116Food Science Technicians 20.4%

Just below

  1. 118Loan Interviewers and Clerks 20.2%
  2. 119Purchasing Managers 20.0%
  3. 120Computer Network Architects 19.9%

What this does and does not mean

Exposure is observed use, not a forecast. Anthropic maps work conversations with Claude onto the tasks O*NET lists for each job and asks, of the tasks AI could speed up, which are actually being used for at work. A use that does the task outright counts in full and a use that assists a person counts half. The task scores are averaged into the occupation figure by the share of time spent on each task.

A high figure means AI is already part of how this work gets done. It does not mean anyone has been replaced. Anthropic's own reading of the labour market finds no systematic rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting exposed jobs.No measurable rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting these jobs. Gap years for everyone. Labor market impacts, 5 March 2026.

Task list and titles from O*NET 31.0 by the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Scores from the Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Checked 1 November 2026. How the ranking works.