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AI exposure Education and library

Will AI replace library technicians?

Library Technicians. US occupation 25-4031.

5.4%

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

Ranked 244 of 756 US occupations. More exposed than 67% of them.Further along than 67% of them.

Average US job 7.7%

Around the middle of the pack.Keeping pace with the average job.

What AI already does for library techniciansWhat library technicians no longer do alone

O*NET lists 31 tasks for library technicians. AI use at work shows up in 4 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. Compose explanatory summaries of contents of books and other reference materials. mostly automated 0.96
  2. Retrieve information from central databases for storage in a library's computer. mostly automated 0.96
  3. Compile bibliographies and prepare abstracts on subjects of interest to particular organizations or groups. mostly automated 0.93
  4. Conduct reference searches, using printed materials and in-house and online databases.Core task mostly automated 0.92

What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human

27 of the 31 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.

  • Answer routine telephone or in-person reference inquiries, referring patrons to librarians for further assistance, when necessary.Core task
  • 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 task
  • Check for damaged library materials, such as books or audio-visual equipment, and provide replacements or make repairs.Core task
  • Collect fines and respond to complaints about fines.Core task
  • Compile and maintain records relating to circulation, materials, and equipment.Core task
  • Compile data and create statistical reports on library usage.Core task
Show the other 21
  • Deliver and retrieve items throughout the library by hand or using pushcart.Core task
  • Design posters and special displays to promote use of library facilities or specific reading programs at libraries.Core task
  • Enter and update patrons' records on computers.Core task
  • 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 task
  • Maintain and troubleshoot problems with library equipment, including computers, photocopiers, and audio-visual equipment.Core task
  • Process print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections.Core task
  • Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects.Core task
  • Reserve, circulate, renew, and discharge books and other materials.Core task
  • Take actions to halt disruption of library activities by problem patrons.Core task
  • Train other staff, volunteers, or student assistants and schedule and supervise their work.Core task
  • Claim missing issues of periodicals and journals.
  • Issue identification cards to borrowers.
  • Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment, such as projectors, tape recorders, and videocassette recorders.
  • Order all print and non-print library materials, checking prices, figuring costs, preparing order slips, and making payments.
  • Organize and maintain periodicals and reference materials.
  • Plan and conduct children's programs, community outreach programs, and other specialized programs, such as library tours.
  • Process interlibrary loans for patrons.
  • Review subject matter of materials to be classified and select classification numbers and headings according to classification systems.
  • Send out notices about lost or overdue books.
  • Sort and deliver library mail and packages.
  • Verify bibliographical data for materials, including author, title, publisher, publication date, and edition.

How that compares

Among the 57 education and library occupations, library technicians rank 32. 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. 243Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health 5.5%
  2. 244Actuaries 5.4%
  3. 244Craft Artists 5.4%

Just below

  1. 247Athletic Trainers 5.3%
  2. 247Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary 5.3%
  3. 249Nurse Midwives 5.2%

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.