JOB REPORT / 25-4022 · 30 TASKS

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists.

Can AI do the work of Librarians and Media Collections Specialists?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

How does this fit your work?

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

Drag the dot. There’s no wrong answer; it starts at our estimate.

Starting pointOur estimate

The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids…
Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty…
Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services…

Your free lesson plan builds the skills that keep you ahead of AI.

A free set of short lessons, about 20 minutes each, at your own pace. No payment, no experience needed.

TURN THIS INTO SKILLS YOU CAN PROVE Early access

Earn a certificate in your job

A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Librarians and Media Collections Specialists work. It covers the 27 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

27 of 30 tasks reviewed

This job has 30 core tasks. We went through 27 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Librarians and Media Collections Specialists actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials, based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.
AI DOES
Suggests classification codes, generates catalog records, and matches metadata to standard systems
YOU DO
Review unusual items, resolve ambiguous subjects, and ensure catalog quality
TASK 02
Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.
AI DOES
Searches review databases, summarizes titles, and spots collection gaps
YOU DO
Apply community knowledge and build faculty trust to make smart final picks
TASK 03
Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services, and provide information about library policies.
AI DOES
Answers common questions about hours, policies, and resources via chatbot or search
YOU DO
Read the patron's confusion, adjust your explanation, and connect them to exactly the right resource
TASK 04
Check books in and out of the library.
AI DOES
Scans barcodes, updates loan records, sends due-date alerts, and flags overdue items automatically
YOU DO
Step in when systems fail, help confused patrons, and make judgment calls on fines or special loans
TASK 05
Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
AI DOES
Auto-updates circulation records, runs inventory checks, and flags likely cataloging errors in bulk
YOU DO
Review flagged errors and decide how to fix tricky or unusual catalog entries
TASK 06
Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.
AI DOES
Drafts lesson plans, quizzes, and slide decks on library and tech topics
YOU DO
Show up, connect with students, and adjust the lesson in real time
TASK 07
Develop library policies and procedures.
AI DOES
Drafts policy templates, summarizes industry standards, and flags gaps in existing procedures
YOU DO
Apply community knowledge and make final calls on values and priorities
TASK 08
Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library.
AI DOES
Searches catalogs, fills out loan request forms, tracks request status, and flags available copies at partner libraries
YOU DO
Build relationships with partner libraries and decide when to escalate or find alternative sources
TASK 09
Plan and deliver client-centered programs and services, such as special services for corporate clients, storytelling for children, newsletters, or programs for special groups.
AI DOES
Drafts newsletters, brainstorms program ideas, writes story scripts, and summarizes content for special groups
YOU DO
Show up, read the room, and build real relationships with your community
TASK 10
Evaluate materials to determine outdated or unused items to be discarded.
AI DOES
Scans usage stats, publication dates, and condition records to surface candidates for weeding
YOU DO
Weigh community value, unique local relevance, and budget tradeoffs before deciding what leaves the shelf
TASK 11
Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders.
AI DOES
Compares vendor options, summarizes contract terms, flags pricing patterns, and drafts order requests
YOU DO
Build vendor relationships, judge trustworthiness, and make the final call on deals
TASK 12
Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary.
AI DOES
Drafts reply messages, suggests policy options, and flags common complaint patterns
YOU DO
Read the person's mood, decide what's fair, and take real action
TASK 13
Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.
AI DOES
Generates step-by-step guides, practice exercises, and plain-language explainers for common database search tasks
YOU DO
Read the room, adjust your pace, and encourage patrons who feel nervous or frustrated
TASK 14
Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
AI DOES
Drafts schedules, budget templates, job postings, and performance review summaries
YOU DO
Keep the people decisions — hiring, coaching, and resolving team issues — in your hands
TASK 15
Train faculty and media staff on the use of software and audio-visual equipment.
AI DOES
Drafts training guides, how-to docs, quizzes, and video scripts
YOU DO
Show up in person, read the room, and adjust teaching on the fly
TASK 16
Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer.
AI DOES
Drafts meeting agendas, summarizes community needs data, and suggests collection ideas based on trends
YOU DO
Show up, listen, and build trust with real people in your community
TASK 17
Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.
AI DOES
Drafts training guides, schedules, and procedure documents
YOU DO
Lead real conversations, demonstrate tasks in person, and read how each staff member learns best
TASK 18
Confer with teachers to select course materials and to determine which training aids are best suited to particular grade levels.
AI DOES
Suggests age-appropriate books, materials, and learning aids based on grade level and subject
YOU DO
Build trust with teachers and use classroom context that only in-person collaboration reveals
TASK 19SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot information access aids, such as databases, annotated bibliographies, Web pages, electronic pathfinders, software programs, and online tutorials.
AI DOES
Generates code, fixes bugs, and builds basic tutorials
YOU DO
Design what users actually need
About this analysis
55% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 20
Maintain inventory of audio-visual equipment.
AI DOES
Helps log items, flag missing gear, and generate inventory reports from spreadsheets or databases
YOU DO
Walk the shelves, inspect equipment condition, and confirm what's actually there
TASK 21SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests.
AI DOES
Searches databases and surfaces relevant sources quickly
YOU DO
Judge what's truly unusual and useful
About this analysis
46% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 22SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audio-visual materials on particular subjects.
AI DOES
Searches databases and generates subject bibliographies
YOU DO
Curate for quality and relevance
About this analysis
46% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 23
Engage in professional development activities, such as taking continuing education classes and attending or participating in conferences, workshops, professional meetings, and associations.
AI DOES
Finds relevant conferences, summarizes workshop materials, and drafts association communications
YOU DO
Build real relationships and bring your own experience to every room you enter
TASK 24
Maintain hardware and software, including computers, media equipment, scanners, color copiers, and color laser printers.
AI DOES
Looks up troubleshooting guides, error codes, and maintenance schedules fast
YOU DO
Physically inspect, repair, and test every device yourself
TASK 25
Represent library or institution on internal and external committees.
AI DOES
Drafts talking points, summarizes meeting notes, and prepares background research for committee topics
YOU DO
Show up, build trust, and make judgment calls that represent your institution's real values
TASK 26SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
AI DOES
Suggests sources and searches databases quickly
YOU DO
Understand what patrons really need
About this analysis
17% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 27SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.
AI DOES
Searches databases and summarizes relevant sources
YOU DO
Judge what the patron really needs
About this analysis
15% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

START LEARNING AI

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.

There are 27 short lessons for this job, about 15 minutes each. Each one starts from a task above and teaches the part that stays with you.

Try a free lesson

AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
SOC code: 25-4022
Tasks reviewed: 27 of 30

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $68,270 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $76,480 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 133,790
Employed in Colorado: 1,990
Job outlook: +1.7% by 2034 · ~13,500 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Earn a certificate in your job

Your job, task by task.

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

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

Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services, and provide information about library policies.

Check books in and out of the library.

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

Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.

Develop library policies and procedures.

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

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

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

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

Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary.

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.

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

Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer.

Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.

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

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

Maintain inventory of audio-visual equipment.

Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests.

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

Engage in professional development activities, such as taking continuing education classes and attending or participating in conferences, workshops, professional meetings, and associations.

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

Represent library or institution on internal and external committees.

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

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

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.