Librarian

O*NET: Librarians and Media Collections Specialists·25-4022.00

The Verdict:Librarians curate collections, teach information skills, and guide patrons through complex research in a physical space. AI handles searches and cataloging but falls short on personalized instruction and community engagement. Routine digital tasks shift to tools, yet human judgment and in-person support keep the role relevant amid evolving library services.

Resilience Score

/100

Moderate Risk

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$64k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+1.7%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 6 of 30 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

20%

Low exposure

Task Analysis

This role has a mixed AI profile.
6 tasks are automatable, 33% reward AI fluency, and 14 remain human-essential.

6exposed

10AI leverage

14human-essential

View all 30 tasks

AI Can Handle This6 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Check books in and out of the library.

Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.

Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.

Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials, based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.

Compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audio-visual materials on particular subjects.

Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library.

AI Leverage10 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.

Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.

Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary.

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.

Evaluate materials to determine outdated or unused items to be discarded.

Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot information access aids, such as databases, annotated bibliographies, Web pages, electronic pathfinders, software programs, and online tutorials.

Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders.

Maintain inventory of audio-visual equipment.

Maintain hardware and software, including computers, media equipment, scanners, color copiers, and color laser printers.

Human Advantage14 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.

Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.

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.

Plan and deliver client-centered programs and services, such as special services for corporate clients, storytelling for children, newsletters, or programs for special groups.

Troubleshoot problems with audio-visual equipment.

Develop library policies and procedures.

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.

Confer with teachers to select course materials and to determine which training aids are best suited to particular grade levels.

Represent library or institution on internal and external committees.

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.

Assemble and arrange display materials.

Train faculty and media staff on the use of software and audio-visual equipment.

Resilience Landscape

Librarian lands in Stable, Lower Pay

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