Library Technicians
Also called: Library Assistant, Library Associate, Library Technical Assistant (LTA), Library TechnicianAssist librarians by helping readers in the use of library catalogs, databases, and indexes to locate books and other materials; and by answering questions that require only brief consultation of standard reference. Compile records; sort and shelve books or other media; remove or repair damaged books or other media; register patrons; and check materials in and out of the circulation process. Replace materials in shelving area (stacks) or files. Includes bookmobile drivers who assist with providing services in mobile libraries.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 23 of its 31 tasks, and jobs are projected to shrink 6.4% 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, 3.8% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 4.3 hires for every 10 job openings in government, which employs about 61% 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.4.3 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 | $37,150 | $30,850 to $44,180 | 390 |
| Alaska | $46,940 | $38,850 to $57,570 | 220 |
| Arizona | $40,510 | $33,490 to $49,040 | 820 |
| Arkansas | $28,570 | $27,070 to $32,730 | 390 |
| California | $53,260 | $45,570 to $62,330 | 7,190 |
| Colorado | $46,680 | $38,850 to $49,290 | 2,250 |
| Connecticut | $57,060 | $39,980 to $70,170 | 930 |
| Delaware | $47,580 | $37,610 to $58,130 | 210 |
| District of Columbia | $61,040 | $57,700 to $65,760 | 390 |
| Florida | $41,080 | $37,970 to $48,230 | 3,070 |
| Georgia | $37,320 | $30,160 to $42,790 | 2,130 |
| Hawaii | $50,870 | $43,440 to $57,180 | 110 |
| Idaho | $34,510 | $28,620 to $37,570 | 520 |
| Illinois | $47,120 | $38,690 to $57,080 | 2,140 |
| Indiana | $35,560 | $29,240 to $39,090 | 1,470 |
| Iowa | $38,590 | $30,250 to $48,880 | 1,510 |
| Kansas | $41,960 | $34,420 to $49,400 | 480 |
| Kentucky | $35,700 | $29,330 to $41,350 | 670 |
| Louisiana | $39,180 | $31,760 to $47,790 | 1,410 |
| Maine | $44,520 | $37,330 to $50,410 | 320 |
| Maryland | $48,920 | $42,500 to $61,620 | 1,980 |
| Massachusetts | $50,430 | $45,890 to $61,090 | 1,910 |
| Michigan | $34,680 | $29,100 to $40,310 | 2,180 |
| Minnesota | $51,110 | $45,970 to $61,260 | 1,180 |
| Mississippi | $27,080 | $24,210 to $36,470 | 270 |
| Missouri | $39,160 | $36,100 to $45,820 | 1,360 |
| Montana | $38,220 | $34,410 to $45,790 | 370 |
| Nebraska | $36,920 | $29,910 to $47,540 | 710 |
| Nevada | $45,650 | $30,290 to $57,300 | 410 |
| New Hampshire | $48,650 | $37,900 to $57,530 | 280 |
| New Jersey | $48,840 | $36,760 to $61,830 | 1,060 |
| New Mexico | $38,830 | $34,240 to $47,550 | 540 |
| New York | $50,060 | $43,030 to $62,570 | 3,390 |
| North Carolina | $46,520 | $38,320 to $47,650 | 2,350 |
| North Dakota | $39,240 | $36,300 to $45,480 | 370 |
| Ohio | $37,920 | $32,650 to $46,170 | 4,020 |
| Oklahoma | $29,440 | $26,580 to $42,890 | 830 |
| Oregon | $49,970 | $45,070 to $60,400 | 1,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,100 | $35,710 to $54,930 | 1,560 |
| Puerto Rico | $35,890 | $27,820 to $40,570 | 250 |
| Rhode Island | $48,740 | $38,930 to $58,430 | 160 |
| South Carolina | $36,070 | $30,900 to $45,940 | 650 |
| South Dakota | $29,590 | $26,980 to $37,980 | 650 |
| Tennessee | $36,400 | $29,070 to $45,820 | 390 |
| Texas | $38,640 | $34,670 to $45,900 | 5,180 |
| Utah | $40,160 | $35,570 to $48,250 | 310 |
| Vermont | $50,090 | $45,140 to $55,310 | 150 |
| Virginia | $45,560 | $36,940 to $52,240 | 2,580 |
| Washington | $62,570 | $56,850 to $75,780 | 1,850 |
| West Virginia | $30,300 | $28,240 to $38,170 | 280 |
| Wisconsin | $35,000 | $28,480 to $42,550 | 2,890 |
| Wyoming | $26,850 | $26,510 to $40,430 | 400 |
Nationally: $44,580. 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 23 of its 31 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| AI alone | 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. | Not published |
| AI + software | Reserve, circulate, renew, and discharge books and other materials. | Not published |
| Not much | Deliver and retrieve items throughout the library by hand or using pushcart. | Not published |
| AI + software | Answer routine telephone or in-person reference inquiries, referring patrons to librarians for further assistance, when necessary. | Not published |
| AI + software | Enter and update patrons' records on computers. | Not published |
| AI alone | Maintain and troubleshoot problems with library equipment, including computers, photocopiers, and audio-visual equipment. | Not published |
See all 31 tasks
| AI alone | 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. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Process print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections. | Not published |
| Not much | Check for damaged library materials, such as books or audio-visual equipment, and provide replacements or make repairs. | Not published |
| AI + software | Take actions to halt disruption of library activities by problem patrons. | Not published |
| AI + software | Compile and maintain records relating to circulation, materials, and equipment. | Not published |
| AI alone | Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects. | Not published |
| AI + software | Collect fines and respond to complaints about fines. | Not published |
| AI + software | Conduct reference searches, using printed materials and in-house and online databases. | 1.38% |
| Not much | Train other staff, volunteers, or student assistants and schedule and supervise their work. | Not published |
| Not much | Issue identification cards to borrowers. | Not published |
| AI + software | Compile data and create statistical reports on library usage. | Not published |
| AI + software | Send out notices about lost or overdue books. | Not published |
| AI alone | Design posters and special displays to promote use of library facilities or specific reading programs at libraries. | Not published |
| AI + software | Process interlibrary loans for patrons. | Not published |
| AI + software | Organize and maintain periodicals and reference materials. | under 0.01% |
| Not much | Sort and deliver library mail and packages. | Not published |
| AI + software | Retrieve information from central databases for storage in a library's computer. | Not published |
| AI alone | Review subject matter of materials to be classified and select classification numbers and headings according to classification systems. | 0.01% |
| AI + software | Verify bibliographical data for materials, including author, title, publisher, publication date, and edition. | Not published |
| AI + software | Order all print and non-print library materials, checking prices, figuring costs, preparing order slips, and making payments. | Not published |
| Not much | Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment, such as projectors, tape recorders, and videocassette recorders. | Not published |
| Not much | Claim missing issues of periodicals and journals. | Not published |
| Not much | Plan and conduct children's programs, community outreach programs, and other specialized programs, such as library tours. | Not published |
| AI alone | Compose explanatory summaries of contents of books and other reference materials. | 0.09% |
| AI alone | Compile bibliographies and prepare abstracts on subjects of interest to particular organizations or groups. | 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. 5 of the 31 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 31 tasks fall under 24 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
- #3 Respond to customer problems or inquiries
- #5 Provide information or assistance to the public
- and 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perform administrative or clerical activities | |||
| Maintain operational records | |||
| Prepare informational or instructional materials | |||
| Move materials, equipment, or supplies | |||
| Gather information from physical or electronic sources | |||
| Respond to customer problems or inquiries | |||
| Provide information or assistance to the public | |||
| Write material for artistic or commercial purposes |
Show all 24 activities
| Provide general assistance to others, such as customers, patrons, or motorists | |||
| Compile records, documentation, or other data | |||
| Purchase goods or services | |||
| Assist scientists, scholars, or technical specialists with projects or research | |||
| Maintain electronic, computer, or other technical equipment | |||
| Inspect characteristics or conditions of materials or products | |||
| Plan events or programs | |||
| Sort materials or products | |||
| Operate audiovisual or related equipment | |||
| Train others on operational or work procedures | |||
| Distribute materials, supplies, or resources | |||
| Process shipments or mail | |||
| Mediate disputes | |||
| Collect fares or payments | |||
| Supervise personnel activities | |||
| Replenish inventories of materials, equipment, or products |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- A document or report19%
- An explanation or answer17%
- An analysis or summary13%
- Advice or a recommendation8%
- An academic paper or thesis4%
How they worked with Claude
40% 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 library technicians 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 7,738 moves out
- 1 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Very high -6.0% 4%
- 2 Library Assistants, Clerical High -6.4% 4%
- 3 Postsecondary Teachers, All Other Very high +2.0% 4%
- 4 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 5 Office Clerks, General Very high -6.0% 3%
Where people moved in from
of 8,617 moves in
- 1 Library Assistants, Clerical High -6.4% 4%
- 2 Retail Salespersons Very high -0.3% 4%
- 3 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Very high -6.0% 4%
- 4 Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Very high +2.6% 3%
- 5 Office Clerks, General Very high -6.0% 3%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 15% high school
- 17% postsecondary certificate
- 9% some college
- 28% associate's
- 30% bachelor's
- 2% master's
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 28 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 9% less than high school
- 34% high school
- 14% some college
- 10% associate's
- 22% bachelor's
- 10% master's
- 1% professional degree
Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 485 people surveyed.
Why the two can differ
O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation
1 program: Library and Archives Assisting.
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
11.2% this occupation
45.3% all occupations
| By kind | This occupation | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| a license | 3.3% | 19.1% |
| a certification | not published | |
| an educational certificate | 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/25-4031.00