Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

AI & job outlook

What today's research says about this occupation's exposure to AI, how AI is actually being used in it, and where employment is headed. These are positions within published studies — measures of exposure and usage, not predictions that this job will disappear.

Exposure to current AI

Each study uses its own scale, so the raw scores are not comparable across rows — the percentile (this job's rank among all U.S. occupations with data) is the comparable figure, and sizes the bars.

OpenAI's exposure study scores tasks three ways: with a language model alone (α 0.2), with simple added tooling (β 0.5), and including AI-powered software (γ 0.9). Higher means more of the job's tasks could be done at least twice as fast — not that they will be automated away.

How AI is actually used in this job

Among measured AI assistant conversations mapped to this occupation (Anthropic Economic Index, 2026-01-15), these task types came up most. These are shares of observed AI conversations — not shares of the job, of worker time, or of what could be automated.

Job outlook

Independent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projection for 2024–2034 — a labor-market forecast, not an AI-impact forecast.

“Annual openings” counts new jobs plus replacements for workers who leave the occupation, so it can be large even when growth is modest.

Tasks

All 30 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, ordered by importance. Each links to its own page with AI-exposure and observed-use detail.

• Check books in and out of the library. Core · importance 4.4
• Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases. Core · importance 4.4
• Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources. Core · importance 4.2
• Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors. Core · importance 4.1
• Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions. Core · importance 4.1
• Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information. Core · importance 4.1
• Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations. Core · importance 4.1
• Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use. Core · importance 4.0
• Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer. Core · importance 4.0
• Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials, based on subject matter or standard library classification systems. Core · importance 3.9
• Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary. Core · importance 3.9
• Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services, and provide information about library policies. Core · importance 3.9
• 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 · importance 3.9
• Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests. Core · importance 3.8
• Troubleshoot problems with audio-visual equipment. Core · importance 3.8
• Develop library policies and procedures. Core · importance 3.8
• Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use. Core · importance 3.7
• Evaluate materials to determine outdated or unused items to be discarded. Core · importance 3.7
• Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot information access aids, such as databases, annotated bibliographies, Web pages, electronic pathfinders, software programs, and online tutorials. Core · importance 3.7
• Engage in professional development activities, such as taking continuing education classes and attending or participating in conferences, workshops, professional meetings, and associations. Core · importance 3.6
• Compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audio-visual materials on particular subjects. Core · importance 3.6
• Confer with teachers to select course materials and to determine which training aids are best suited to particular grade levels. Core · importance 3.6
• Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders. Core · importance 3.6
• Maintain inventory of audio-visual equipment. Supplemental · importance 3.5
• Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library. Core · importance 3.5
• Represent library or institution on internal and external committees. Core · importance 3.4
• 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. Core · importance 3.3
• Assemble and arrange display materials. Core · importance 3.1
• Maintain hardware and software, including computers, media equipment, scanners, color copiers, and color laser printers.
• Train faculty and media staff on the use of software and audio-visual equipment.

Work activities

• Process library materials.
• Teach others to use technology or equipment.
• Select educational materials or equipment.
• Maintain operational records.
• Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
• Search information sources to find specific data.
• Help patrons use library or archival resources.
• Direct department activities.
• Confer with others to conduct or arrange operational activities.
• Classify materials according to standard systems.
• Plan community programs or activities for the general public.
• Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.
• Diagnose equipment malfunctions.
• Develop policies or procedures for archives, museums or libraries.
• Train staff members.
• Direct activities of subordinates.
• Inspect materials or equipment to determine need for repair or replacement.
• Develop library or archival databases.
• Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.
• Compile specialized bibliographies or lists of materials.
• Collaborate with other teaching professionals to develop educational programs.
• Negotiate purchases or contracts.
• Order instructional or library materials or equipment.
• Serve on institutional or departmental committees.
• Operate audiovisual equipment.
• Construct exhibits or parts of exhibits.
• Maintain inventory records.
• Maintain the inventory of equipment.
• Inventory materials or equipment.
• Maintain computer equipment or software.

Knowledge, skills & abilities

O*NET importance rating, from 1 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).

Knowledge

Abilities

Essential skills

Transferable skills

Skills in demand

Skills employers ask for in job postings for this occupation (Lightcast), with whether each is a common or specialized skill.

• English Language Common Skill
• Reading Comprehension Common Skill
• Active Listening Common Skill
• Writing Common Skill
• Information Ordering Specialized Skill
• Critical Thinking Common Skill
• Speech Recognition Specialized Skill
• Microsoft Excel Common Skill
• Social Perceptiveness Common Skill
• Inductive Reasoning Common Skill
• Deductive Reasoning Common Skill
• Active Learning Common Skill
• Time Management Common Skill
• Instructing Specialized Skill
• Microsoft Word Common Skill
• Microsoft Windows Common Skill
• Microsoft Visio Specialized Skill
• Microsoft SharePoint Specialized Skill
• Microsoft PowerPoint Common Skill
• Microsoft Outlook Common Skill
• Microsoft Access Specialized Skill
• Facebook Specialized Skill
• Complex Problem Solving Common Skill
• Adobe Photoshop Specialized Skill
• Adobe InDesign Specialized Skill
• Adobe Illustrator Specialized Skill
• Adobe After Effects Specialized Skill
• Adobe Acrobat Specialized Skill
• Learning Strategies Specialized Skill
• Psychology Specialized Skill
• Mathematics Common Skill
• Negotiation Common Skill
• Geography Specialized Skill
• Telecommunications Specialized Skill
• Systems Analysis Specialized Skill
• Visualization Specialized Skill
• WorldCat Specialized Skill
• Wiki Software Specialized Skill
• Online Databases Specialized Skill
• Microsoft Publisher Specialized Skill

Showing the top 40 of 58.

Tools & technology

Showing the top 40 of 81.

Work context

How characteristic each condition is of the job, on O*NET's 1–5 context scale (higher = more present in day-to-day work). Each condition links to how it varies across all occupations.

How to get in

Job zone

Zone 5 — Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Typical entry-level education

Master's degree · BLS, the typical path — not a requirement

Related experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Preparation level

SVP (8.0 and above) — total schooling plus on-the-job experience.

What to study: Education , Library Science . Fields of study crosswalked to this occupation (NCES CIP–SOC), not a requirement.

Education of current workers

Share of people in this occupation at each level of education.

Interests & work styles

The interests and personal qualities O*NET associates with people who do this work.

Career interests (Holland / RIASEC)

Interest areas

Work styles

Wages & employment

U.S. · annual wages (BLS OEWS)

Industries that employ this occupation

Where these workers are employed, by number of jobs (national, BLS OEWS). Pay shown is the occupation's national median, not industry-specific.

Where this work is most concentrated

Industries where this occupation is far more common than in the economy as a whole. The location quotient is how many times more concentrated it is here (a value of 5 means five times its economy-wide share).

Related occupations

Part of the Education career cluster.

• Library Technicians · 25-4031.00 Compare →
• Library Assistants, Clerical · 43-4121.00 Compare →
• Archivists · 25-4011.00 Compare →
• Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary · 25-1082.00 Compare →
• Instructional Coordinators · 25-9031.00 Compare →
• Social Science Research Assistants · 19-4061.00 Compare →
• Document Management Specialists · 15-1299.03 Compare →
• Web Administrators · 15-1299.01 Compare →
• Computer User Support Specialists · 15-1232.00 Compare →
• Database Administrators · 15-1242.00 Compare →
• Management Analysts · 13-1111.00 Compare →
• Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary · 25-1021.00 Compare →

Side-by-side comparisons place two occupations’ pay, preparation, skills, and AI exposure on the same page — same data, same scale, no forecast.

What you can do with this

Options the data surfaces for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists — not advice or a forecast. Each is a real cross-link you can follow into the evidence.

Sources for this page

Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.

• O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
• BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27) Anthropic
• Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai Microsoft Research
• “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic

Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.

@misc{singulariki-role-25-4022-00,
  title  = {Librarians and Media Collections Specialists},
  author = {{Singulariki}},
  year   = {2026},
  note   = {O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026},
  url    = {https://singulariki.com/roles/role-25-4022-00}
}