Education & TrainingO*NET: 25-4022.00
Will AI Replace 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.
38out of 100
Low Risk
AI Risk Score
38/100
Risk Level
Low
Job Zone
5/5
Advanced
Total Tasks Analyzed
27
🤖 What AI Can Do
- â–¸Check books in and out of the library.
- â–¸Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.
- â–¸Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.
- â–¸Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
- â–¸Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
- â–¸Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.
👤 What Requires Humans
- â–¸Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
- â–¸Confer with teachers to select course materials and to determine which training aids are best suited to particular grade levels.
- â–¸Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders.
- â–¸Represent library or institution on internal and external committees.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (14)
- Check books in and out of the library.
- Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.
- Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.
- Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
- Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
- Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.
- Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer.
- Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials, based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.
- Plan and deliver client-centered programs and services, such as special services for corporate clients, storytelling for children, newsletters, or programs for special groups.
- Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services, and provide information about library policies.
- Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests.
- Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot information access aids, such as databases, annotated bibliographies, Web pages, electronic pathfinders, software programs, and online tutorials.
- Compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audio-visual materials on particular subjects.
- 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.
👤Requires Humans (4)
- Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
- Confer with teachers to select course materials and to determine which training aids are best suited to particular grade levels.
- Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders.
- Represent library or institution on internal and external committees.
âš¡AI-Assisted (9)
- Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.
- Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary.
- Troubleshoot problems with audio-visual equipment.
- Develop library policies and procedures.
- Evaluate materials to determine outdated or unused items to be discarded.
- Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.
- Engage in professional development activities, such as taking continuing education classes and attending or participating in conferences, workshops, professional meetings, and associations.
- Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library.
Key Skills Analysis
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.88/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.88/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.88/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Service OrientationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
InstructingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Learning Strategies
Importance: 2.88/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Librarians and Media Collections Specialists have a low risk of AI replacement with a score of 38/100. This role requires significant human skills like creativity, empathy, and complex decision-making that AI cannot easily replicate.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research