Library Assistants, Clerical
Also called: Library Aide, Library Assistant, Library Circulation Assistant, Library ClerkCompile records, and sort, shelve, issue, and receive library materials such as books, electronic media, pictures, cards, slides and microfilm. Locate library materials for loan and replace material in shelving area, stacks, or files according to identification number and title. Register patrons to permit them to borrow books, periodicals, and other library materials.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 21 of its 32 tasks, and jobs are projected to shrink 6.4% by 2035. 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, 4.1% 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 66% 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 | $27,530 | $23,590 to $33,100 | 900 |
| Alaska | $44,800 | $38,700 to $55,760 | 180 |
| Arizona | $38,110 | $36,580 to $41,920 | 1,560 |
| Arkansas | $31,100 | $27,790 to $34,790 | 390 |
| California | $47,860 | $39,170 to $61,600 | 11,170 |
| Colorado | $36,130 | $30,800 to $42,340 | 470 |
| Connecticut | $39,100 | $35,290 to $49,200 | 1,810 |
| Delaware | $37,090 | $34,040 to $37,090 | 270 |
| District of Columbia | $59,390 | $50,970 to $67,660 | 100 |
| Florida | $37,880 | $35,500 to $40,970 | 3,630 |
| Georgia | $36,410 | $30,450 to $39,410 | 610 |
| Hawaii | $37,110 | $30,730 to $38,630 | 370 |
| Idaho | $33,960 | $29,090 to $37,360 | 920 |
| Illinois | $34,680 | $31,200 to $36,750 | 6,620 |
| Indiana | $28,900 | $23,230 to $32,880 | 1,830 |
| Iowa | $29,480 | $26,400 to $34,790 | 1,700 |
| Kansas | $31,550 | $25,880 to $36,470 | 1,380 |
| Kentucky | $33,690 | $28,790 to $35,750 | 1,050 |
| Louisiana | $29,620 | $22,330 to $36,930 | 720 |
| Maine | $37,890 | $33,020 to $43,750 | 540 |
| Maryland | $45,910 | $37,790 to $49,830 | 730 |
| Massachusetts | $42,520 | $35,920 to $50,570 | 2,840 |
| Michigan | $34,510 | $29,300 to $37,660 | 3,470 |
| Minnesota | $39,970 | $31,490 to $49,470 | 1,770 |
| Mississippi | $28,110 | $22,520 to $30,930 | 440 |
| Missouri | $33,760 | $29,550 to $35,600 | 1,610 |
| Montana | $39,070 | $33,220 to $42,320 | 160 |
| Nebraska | $28,080 | $28,080 to $30,590 | 310 |
| Nevada | $46,620 | $37,360 to $57,240 | 660 |
| New Hampshire | $37,400 | $32,150 to $43,920 | 990 |
| New Jersey | $39,780 | $35,250 to $46,960 | 3,120 |
| New Mexico | $35,250 | $33,070 to $37,910 | 150 |
| New York | $35,990 | $34,310 to $46,280 | 8,010 |
| North Carolina | $34,550 | $30,370 to $38,210 | 1,330 |
| North Dakota | $34,530 | $26,570 to $47,220 | 60 |
| Ohio | $33,480 | $28,020 to $37,990 | 5,240 |
| Oklahoma | $29,640 | $24,490 to $36,450 | 800 |
| Oregon | $42,270 | $35,760 to $48,470 | 1,090 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,690 | $26,350 to $39,960 | 3,930 |
| Puerto Rico | $23,110 | $21,840 to $24,340 | 210 |
| Rhode Island | $36,610 | $33,550 to $44,280 | 510 |
| South Carolina | $33,980 | $27,250 to $39,050 | 960 |
| Tennessee | $37,410 | $29,930 to $45,810 | 1,110 |
| Texas | $31,200 | $24,960 to $37,510 | 1,600 |
| Utah | $32,690 | $28,480 to $38,580 | 820 |
| Vermont | $36,430 | $29,800 to $42,770 | 350 |
| Virginia | $38,020 | $33,450 to $46,310 | 2,170 |
| Washington | $47,540 | $39,910 to $55,380 | 2,810 |
| West Virginia | $30,800 | $26,470 to $35,250 | 450 |
| Wisconsin | $39,610 | $36,390 to $45,390 | 1,570 |
| Wyoming | $38,040 | $37,400 to $38,400 | not published |
Nationally: $36,910. 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 21 of its 32 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Not much | Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas. | Not published |
| AI + software | Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures. | Not published |
| Not much | Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audio-visual equipment. | Not published |
| Not much | Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-of-date items. | Not published |
| AI + software | Enter and update patrons' records on computers. | under 0.01% |
| Not much | Instruct patrons on how to use reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems. | Not published |
See all 32 tasks
| AI + software | Inspect returned books for condition and due-date status and compute any applicable fines. | Not published |
| AI alone | Perform clerical activities, such as answering phones, sorting mail, filing, typing, word processing, and photocopying and mailing out material. | Not published |
| Not much | Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans. | Not published |
| AI + software | Register new patrons and issue borrower identification cards that permit patrons to borrow books and other materials. | Not published |
| AI alone | Answer routine inquiries and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians. | Not published |
| AI alone | Send out notices and accept fine payments for lost or overdue books. | Not published |
| Not much | Maintain library equipment, such as photocopiers, scanners, and computers, and instruct patrons in proper use of such equipment. | Not published |
| AI alone | Provide assistance to librarians in the maintenance of collections of books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, and audio-visual and other materials. | Not published |
| AI + software | Review records, such as microfilm and issue cards, to identify titles of overdue materials and delinquent borrowers. | Not published |
| Not much | Take action to deal with disruptive or problem patrons. | Not published |
| AI + software | Maintain records of items received, stored, issued, and returned and file catalog cards according to system used. | Not published |
| AI + software | Repair books using mending tape, paste, and brushes or prepare books to be sent to a bindery for repair. | Not published |
| AI + software | Process new materials including books, audio-visual materials, and computer software. | Not published |
| Not much | Deliver and retrieve items to and from departments by hand or using push carts. | Not published |
| Not much | Assist in the preparation of book displays. | Not published |
| AI + software | Prepare, store, and retrieve classification and catalog information, lecture notes, or other information related to stored documents, using computers. | Not published |
| AI + software | Schedule, supervise, and train clerical workers, volunteers, student assistants, and other library employees. | Not published |
| AI alone | Prepare library statistics reports. | Not published |
| AI alone | Plan or participate in library events and programs, such as story time with children. | Not published |
| Not much | Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment. | Not published |
| AI + software | Select substitute titles when requested materials are unavailable, following criteria such as age, education, and interests. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Perform accounting and bookkeeping activities, such as invoicing, maintaining financial records, budgeting, and handling cash. | under 0.01% |
| Not much | Classify and catalog items according to content and purpose. | 0.01% |
| AI alone | Operate small branch libraries, under the direction of off-site librarian supervisors. | Not published |
| AI alone | Acquire books, pamphlets, periodicals, audio-visual materials, and other library supplies by checking prices, figuring costs, and preparing appropriate order forms and facilitating the ordering process by providing such information to others. | Not published |
| AI alone | Design or maintain library web site and online catalogues. | 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. 4 of the 32 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 32 tasks fall under 33 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.
- #11 Provide information to guests, clients, or customers
- #20 Present research or technical information
- #24 Assist others to access additional services or resources
- and 4 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 | |||
| Sort materials or products | |||
| Maintain operational records | |||
| Provide information to guests, clients, or customers | |||
| Maintain safety or security | |||
| Distribute materials, supplies, or resources | |||
| Present research or technical information | |||
| Assist others to access additional services or resources |
Show all 33 activities
| Process digital or online data | |||
| Purchase goods or services | |||
| Calculate financial data | |||
| Design computer or information systems or applications | |||
| Prepare documentation for contracts, applications, or permits | |||
| Maintain electronic, computer, or other technical equipment | |||
| Issue documentation | |||
| Arrange displays or decorations | |||
| Operate office equipment | |||
| Plan events or programs | |||
| Maintain tools or equipment | |||
| Repair workpieces or products | |||
| Inspect completed work or finished products | |||
| Monitor operations to ensure adequate performance | |||
| Develop educational programs, plans, or procedures | |||
| Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures | |||
| Maintain sales or financial records | |||
| Assign work to others | |||
| Train others to use equipment or products | |||
| Process shipments or mail | |||
| Move materials, equipment, or supplies | |||
| Collect fares or payments | |||
| Supervise personnel activities | |||
| Replenish inventories of materials, equipment, or products | |||
| Stock supplies or products |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- Data or a spreadsheet17%
- A document or report14%
- Configuration or infrastructure11%
- An analysis or summary9%
- A script or snippet7%
How they worked with Claude
56% 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 assistants, clerical 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 27,308 moves out
- 1 Office Clerks, General Very high -6.0% 5%
- 2 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Very high -6.0% 5%
- 3 Teachers and Instructors, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 4 Retail Salespersons Very high -0.3% 4%
- 5 Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Very high +2.6% 4%
Where people moved in from
of 22,696 moves in
- 1 Office Clerks, General Very high -6.0% 7%
- 2 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Very high -6.0% 5%
- 3 Teachers and Instructors, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 4 Retail Salespersons Very high -0.3% 4%
- 5 Customer Service Representatives Very high -5.3% 4%
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
- 9% less than high school
- 50% high school
- 11% postsecondary certificate
- 14% some college
- 12% associate's
- 5% bachelor's
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 31 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 3% less than high school
- 16% high school
- 29% some college
- 12% associate's
- 30% bachelor's
- 9% master's
Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 1,282 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
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
12.0% this occupation
45.3% all occupations
| By kind | This occupation | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| a certification | <0.5% | 5.8% |
| an educational certificate | <0.5% | 2.8% |
| a license | 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
See it online, and explore any career: https://www.pathmosaic.com/card/43-4121.00