JOB REPORT / 25-4031 · 31 TASKS

Library Technicians.

Can AI do the work of Library Technicians?

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?

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The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

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

Send out notices about lost or overdue books
Enter and update patrons' records on computers
Claim missing issues of periodicals and journals

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Earn a certificate in your job

A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Library Technicians work. It covers the 26 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

26 of 31 tasks reviewed

This job has 31 core tasks. We went through 26 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Library Technicians 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
Send out notices about lost or overdue books.
AI DOES
Generates and sends overdue or lost-item notices automatically based on due date data
YOU DO
Handle patron disputes, special circumstances, or notices that bounce back
TASK 02
Enter and update patrons' records on computers.
AI DOES
Auto-fills forms, flags duplicate records, and suggests updates based on existing data
YOU DO
Verify patron identity and resolve unusual or sensitive record situations
TASK 03
Claim missing issues of periodicals and journals.
AI DOES
Scans holdings data to spot missing issues and drafts claim notices
YOU DO
Verify gaps are real and decide which claims are worth pursuing
TASK 04
Reserve, circulate, renew, and discharge books and other materials.
AI DOES
Processes renewals, sends hold notifications, tracks due dates, and flags overdue items automatically
YOU DO
Handle physical items, help confused patrons, and make judgment calls on exceptions
TASK 05
Issue identification cards to borrowers.
AI DOES
Looks up accounts, fills in borrower info, and flags duplicate records automatically
YOU DO
Check real ID documents and hand the card to the right person in front of you
TASK 06
Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects.
AI DOES
Searches databases, recommends books and articles, and drafts project outlines
YOU DO
Listen to what a student really needs and guide them with patience and local knowledge
TASK 07
Compile and maintain records relating to circulation, materials, and equipment.
AI DOES
Pulls circulation data, flags missing items, and drafts summary reports from library databases
YOU DO
Judge what record gaps mean and decide how to fix unusual situations
TASK 08
Order all print and non-print library materials, checking prices, figuring costs, preparing order slips, and making payments.
AI DOES
Searches vendor catalogs, compares prices, drafts order slips, and flags budget issues
YOU DO
Decide what materials best serve your specific community and approve all purchases
TASK 09
Design posters and special displays to promote use of library facilities or specific reading programs at libraries.
AI DOES
Drafts poster text, suggests color schemes, and generates design layouts or image ideas
YOU DO
Choose what resonates with your specific patrons and community
TASK 10
Answer routine telephone or in-person reference inquiries, referring patrons to librarians for further assistance, when necessary.
AI DOES
Quickly looks up hours, availability, policies, and common reference facts
YOU DO
Read the patron's real need, judge when to escalate, and build trust through conversation
TASK 11
Process interlibrary loans for patrons.
AI DOES
Drafts request forms, tracks loan status, flags overdue items, and drafts patron emails
YOU DO
Verify item availability, handle physical materials, and make judgment calls on tricky requests
TASK 12
Process print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections.
AI DOES
Suggests catalog records, metadata, and classification numbers from databases
YOU DO
Handle the physical items, apply labels, and make final judgment calls on condition and placement
TASK 13
Collect fines and respond to complaints about fines.
AI DOES
Looks up fine records, sends automated notices, and drafts standard replies to common complaints
YOU DO
Listen to each person's situation and decide when to waive or adjust a fine
TASK 14
Plan and conduct children's programs, community outreach programs, and other specialized programs, such as library tours.
AI DOES
Drafts program ideas, activity plans, promotional materials, and tour scripts
YOU DO
Show up, connect with kids and community members, and adapt on the fly
TASK 15SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Organize and maintain periodicals and reference materials.
AI DOES
Catalogs, sorts, and tracks library materials automatically
YOU DO
Decide what users actually need access to
About this analysis
67% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 16SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Compile data and create statistical reports on library usage.
AI DOES
Pulls usage data and generates statistical summaries
YOU DO
Verify accuracy and explain what it means
About this analysis
65% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 17
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.
AI DOES
Looks up catalogue records, suggests call numbers, and checks metadata in library databases
YOU DO
Physically handle, sort, and place every item on the correct shelf
TASK 18SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Verify bibliographical data for materials, including author, title, publisher, publication date, and edition.
AI DOES
Scans and extracts bibliographic details from sources
YOU DO
Verify accuracy and resolve conflicts
About this analysis
55% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 19SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Compose explanatory summaries of contents of books and other reference materials.
AI DOES
Generates draft summaries from book contents
YOU DO
Judge what readers actually need to know
About this analysis
54% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 20SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Compile bibliographies and prepare abstracts on subjects of interest to particular organizations or groups.
AI DOES
Generates citations and drafts abstracts from source materials
YOU DO
Choose what's relevant for your audience
About this analysis
53% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 21SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Review subject matter of materials to be classified and select classification numbers and headings according to classification systems.
AI DOES
Scans content and suggests classification codes automatically
YOU DO
Verify accuracy and handle edge cases
About this analysis
51% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 22
Maintain and troubleshoot problems with library equipment, including computers, photocopiers, and audio-visual equipment.
AI DOES
Looks up error codes, suggests fix steps, and finds manuals fast
YOU DO
Physically inspect, handle, and repair the actual machines
TASK 23
Train other staff, volunteers, or student assistants and schedule and supervise their work.
AI DOES
Drafts training materials, schedules, and onboarding checklists
YOU DO
Watch, coach, and motivate real people in the moment
TASK 24SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Retrieve information from central databases for storage in a library's computer.
AI DOES
Pulls and formats database records automatically
YOU DO
Verify quality and organize meaningfully
About this analysis
26% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 25SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Conduct reference searches, using printed materials and in-house and online databases.
AI DOES
Searches databases and suggests relevant sources instantly
YOU DO
Judge what's credible and truly useful
About this analysis
21% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 26SOURCE-BACKED 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.
AI DOES
Searches databases and suggests relevant resources
YOU DO
Guide patrons through their real questions
About this analysis
20% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

START LEARNING AI

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.

There are 26 short lessons for this job, about 15 minutes each. Each one starts from a task above and teaches the part that stays with you.

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Library Technicians
SOC code: 25-4031
Tasks reviewed: 26 of 31

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $44,580 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $46,680 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 68,690
Employed in Colorado: 2,250
Job outlook: −6.8% by 2034 · ~13,000 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.

Send out notices about lost or overdue books.

Enter and update patrons' records on computers.

Claim missing issues of periodicals and journals.

Reserve, circulate, renew, and discharge books and other materials.

Issue identification cards to borrowers.

Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects.

Compile and maintain records relating to circulation, materials, and equipment.

Order all print and non-print library materials, checking prices, figuring costs, preparing order slips, and making payments.

Design posters and special displays to promote use of library facilities or specific reading programs at libraries.

Answer routine telephone or in-person reference inquiries, referring patrons to librarians for further assistance, when necessary.

Process interlibrary loans for patrons.

Process print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections.

Collect fines and respond to complaints about fines.

Plan and conduct children's programs, community outreach programs, and other specialized programs, such as library tours.

Organize and maintain periodicals and reference materials.

Compile data and create statistical reports on library usage.

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.

Verify bibliographical data for materials, including author, title, publisher, publication date, and edition.

Compose explanatory summaries of contents of books and other reference materials.

Compile bibliographies and prepare abstracts on subjects of interest to particular organizations or groups.

Review subject matter of materials to be classified and select classification numbers and headings according to classification systems.

Maintain and troubleshoot problems with library equipment, including computers, photocopiers, and audio-visual equipment.

Train other staff, volunteers, or student assistants and schedule and supervise their work.

Retrieve information from central databases for storage in a library's computer.

Conduct reference searches, using printed materials and in-house and online databases.

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.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.