Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
Also called: Librarian, Library Media Specialist, Reference Librarian, University LibrarianAdminister 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.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 22 of its 30 tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 2.6% by 2035. In the most exposed occupations, the squeeze shows up first among early-career workers. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 1.6% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 7.8 hires for every 10 job openings in private educational services, which employs about 55% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.7.8 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $64,650 | $52,400 to $74,090 | 2,750 |
| Alaska | $78,810 | $62,440 to $97,710 | 350 |
| Arizona | $60,500 | $45,550 to $75,070 | 1,990 |
| Arkansas | $56,800 | $42,920 to $63,160 | 1,490 |
| California | $89,790 | $66,540 to $108,800 | 10,180 |
| Colorado | $76,480 | $62,110 to $84,260 | 1,990 |
| Connecticut | $79,210 | $63,050 to $99,120 | 2,550 |
| Delaware | $77,700 | $66,090 to $95,070 | 370 |
| District of Columbia | $96,550 | $76,960 to $108,780 | 960 |
| Florida | $67,060 | $59,750 to $77,620 | 6,670 |
| Georgia | $76,750 | $61,680 to $84,300 | 3,330 |
| Hawaii | $68,270 | $58,290 to $82,400 | 300 |
| Idaho | $54,130 | $39,000 to $70,740 | 650 |
| Illinois | $62,700 | $49,720 to $80,690 | 5,390 |
| Indiana | $53,500 | $41,120 to $65,720 | 1,920 |
| Iowa | $58,440 | $39,550 to $76,040 | 1,770 |
| Kansas | $61,900 | $52,570 to $74,510 | 1,620 |
| Kentucky | $65,200 | $54,020 to $76,840 | 1,980 |
| Louisiana | $60,650 | $51,630 to $64,240 | 2,130 |
| Maine | $59,540 | $47,200 to $73,890 | 780 |
| Maryland | $88,570 | $68,350 to $105,070 | 3,220 |
| Massachusetts | $78,540 | $62,550 to $97,710 | 4,980 |
| Michigan | $60,010 | $48,780 to $76,240 | 3,940 |
| Minnesota | $77,650 | $62,570 to $90,510 | 2,220 |
| Mississippi | $56,970 | $47,250 to $62,030 | 1,060 |
| Missouri | $58,700 | $45,790 to $73,810 | 2,970 |
| Montana | $63,870 | $50,180 to $78,550 | 640 |
| Nebraska | $64,060 | $46,620 to $77,490 | 1,200 |
| Nevada | $84,540 | $66,670 to $95,150 | 610 |
| New Hampshire | $63,580 | $50,650 to $81,940 | 1,150 |
| New Jersey | $78,380 | $63,900 to $99,770 | 4,100 |
| New Mexico | $62,530 | $50,440 to $75,540 | 580 |
| New York | $78,590 | $63,490 to $99,530 | 11,870 |
| North Carolina | $61,420 | $51,450 to $73,900 | 4,010 |
| North Dakota | $62,830 | $48,470 to $75,940 | 570 |
| Ohio | $60,630 | $48,740 to $76,460 | 4,820 |
| Oklahoma | $58,180 | $48,040 to $64,200 | 1,820 |
| Oregon | $78,070 | $60,220 to $93,620 | 1,690 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,880 | $46,990 to $81,120 | 5,050 |
| Puerto Rico | $51,610 | $36,190 to $61,030 | 1,310 |
| Rhode Island | $75,860 | $61,670 to $94,670 | 780 |
| South Carolina | $62,640 | $49,260 to $77,130 | 2,130 |
| South Dakota | $51,210 | $42,750 to $60,600 | 490 |
| Tennessee | $62,090 | $51,330 to $74,130 | 2,540 |
| Texas | $71,860 | $61,260 to $81,710 | 9,150 |
| Utah | $53,730 | $41,600 to $77,440 | 1,630 |
| Vermont | $62,360 | $50,650 to $75,160 | 600 |
| Virginia | $77,430 | $61,770 to $94,380 | 4,590 |
| Washington | $100,030 | $80,690 to $118,540 | 2,750 |
| West Virginia | $42,980 | $33,100 to $56,960 | 610 |
| Wisconsin | $66,870 | $58,260 to $79,290 | 2,450 |
| Wyoming | $46,530 | $35,550 to $60,420 | 440 |
Nationally: $68,270. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 22 of its 30 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| AI + software | Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions. | 3.74% |
| AI alone | Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information. | Not published |
| AI + software | Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use. | under 0.01% |
| AI alone | Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials, based on subject matter or standard library classification systems. | Not published |
| AI + software | Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer. | Not published |
| AI + software | Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources. | Not published |
See all 30 tasks
| AI + software | Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations. | Not published |
| AI + software | Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders. | Not published |
| Not much | Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use. | Not published |
| AI + software | Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library. | Not published |
| Not much | Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors. | Not published |
| AI + software | Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests. | 0.45% |
| AI alone | Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services, and provide information about library policies. | Not published |
| AI + software | Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot information access aids, such as databases, annotated bibliographies, Web pages, electronic pathfinders, software programs, and online tutorials. | Not published |
| AI alone | Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary. | Not published |
| Not much | Engage in professional development activities, such as taking continuing education classes and attending or participating in conferences, workshops, professional meetings, and associations. | Not published |
| AI + software | Develop library policies and procedures. | Not published |
| AI alone | Plan and deliver client-centered programs and services, such as special services for corporate clients, storytelling for children, newsletters, or programs for special groups. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Check books in and out of the library. | Not published |
| AI alone | Confer with teachers to select course materials and to determine which training aids are best suited to particular grade levels. | Not published |
| Not much | Represent library or institution on internal and external committees. | Not published |
| AI + software | Evaluate materials to determine outdated or unused items to be discarded. | Not published |
| AI alone | Maintain hardware and software, including computers, media equipment, scanners, color copiers, and color laser printers. | Not published |
| AI alone | Compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audio-visual materials on particular subjects. | Not published |
| Not much | Train faculty and media staff on the use of software and audio-visual equipment. | under 0.01% |
| Not much | Assemble and arrange display materials. | Not published |
| AI + software | Maintain inventory of audio-visual equipment. | Not published |
| Not much | Troubleshoot problems with audio-visual equipment. | 0.02% |
| Not much | 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. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 7 of the 30 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 30 tasks fall under 26 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #1 Gather information from physical or electronic sources
- #4 Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise
- #19 Provide general assistance to others, such as customers, patrons, or motorists
- and 5 more, in the table below
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provide general assistance to others, such as customers, patrons, or motorists | |||
| Train others to use equipment or products | |||
| Gather information from physical or electronic sources | |||
| Perform administrative or clerical activities | |||
| Purchase goods or services | |||
| Maintain operational records | |||
| Replenish inventories of materials, equipment, or products | |||
| Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise |
Show all 26 activities
| Compile records, documentation, or other data | |||
| Select materials or equipment for operations or projects | |||
| Diagnose system or equipment problems | |||
| Develop operational or technical procedures or standards | |||
| Communicate with others about operational plans or activities | |||
| Maintain electronic, computer, or other technical equipment | |||
| Inspect characteristics or conditions of materials or products | |||
| Plan events or programs | |||
| Operate audiovisual or related equipment | |||
| Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures | |||
| Build structures | |||
| Train others on operational or work procedures | |||
| Monitor resources or inventories | |||
| Negotiate contracts or agreements | |||
| Design databases | |||
| Collaborate in the development of educational programs | |||
| Supervise personnel activities | |||
| Serve on organizational committees |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- An explanation or answer38%
- Advice or a recommendation14%
- An analysis or summary7%
- A document or report6%
- A plan or strategy3%
How they worked with Claude
21% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for librarians and media collections specialists specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 34,502 moves out
- 1 Postsecondary Teachers, All Other Very high +2.0% 6%
- 2 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 6%
- 3 Teachers and Instructors, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 4 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Very high -6.0% 4%
- 5 General and Operations Managers High +5.0% 3%
Where people moved in from
of 41,502 moves in
- 1 Office Clerks, General Very high -6.0% 6%
- 2 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Very high -6.0% 5%
- 3 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 4 Teachers and Instructors, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 5 Cashiers High -6.5% 3%
Combined from the 2010 occupations “Librarians” and “Audio-Visual and Multimedia Collections Specialists”, which BLS merged into yours. Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 1% less than high school
- 2% high school
- 10% some college
- 4% associate's
- 25% bachelor's
- 53% master's
- 3% professional degree
- 2% doctorate
Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 2,386 people surveyed.
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation
5 programs, such as Educational/Instructional Technology, School Librarian/School Library Media Specialist and Library and Information Science.
See all
- Educational/Instructional Technology
- School Librarian/School Library Media Specialist
- Library and Information Science
- Children and Youth Library Services
- Library Science and Administration, Other
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
29.2% this occupation
45.3% all occupations
| By kind | This occupation | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| a license | 22.5% | 19.1% |
| an educational certificate | 1.9% | 2.8% |
| a certification | not published |
Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeships: DOL's list of apprenticeable occupations doesn't include this one.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS · Brynjolfsson, Chandar and Chen, Stanford (Aug 2026)
See it online, and explore any career: https://www.pathmosaic.com/card/25-4022.00