Will AI replace Library Assistants, Clerical?
AI can do 52% of the work Library Assistants, Clerical do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 3 of their 32 tasks, while 19 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 7 physical tasks. 3 still need a person.
AI is already doing this3 · 11% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures.Mostly automated6% of time
- Perform clerical activities, such as answering phones, sorting mail, filing, typing, word processing, and photocopying and mailing out material.Mostly assisted5% of time
- Classify and catalog items according to content and purpose.Mostly automatedunder 1% of time
AI could do this next19 · 41% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Answer routine inquiries and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians.6% of time
- Enter and update patrons' records on computers.5% of time
- Process new materials including books, audio-visual materials, and computer software.3% of time
- Inspect returned books for condition and due-date status and compute any applicable fines.3% of time
- Maintain records of items received, stored, issued, and returned and file catalog cards according to system used.3% of time
- Provide assistance to librarians in the maintenance of collections of books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, and audio-visual and other materials.3% of time
- Register new patrons and issue borrower identification cards that permit patrons to borrow books and other materials.3% of time
- Plan or participate in library events and programs, such as story time with children.3% of time
- Send out notices and accept fine payments for lost or overdue books.2% of time
- Operate small branch libraries, under the direction of off-site librarian supervisors.2% of time
- Review records, such as microfilm and issue cards, to identify titles of overdue materials and delinquent borrowers.2% of time
- Schedule, supervise, and train clerical workers, volunteers, student assistants, and other library employees.2% of time
- Perform accounting and bookkeeping activities, such as invoicing, maintaining financial records, budgeting, and handling cash.2% of time
- Repair books using mending tape, paste, and brushes or prepare books to be sent to a bindery for repair.2% of time
- 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.2% of time
- Prepare library statistics reports.2% of time
- Prepare, store, and retrieve classification and catalog information, lecture notes, or other information related to stored documents, using computers.under 1% of time
- Select substitute titles when requested materials are unavailable, following criteria such as age, education, and interests.under 1% of time
- Design or maintain library web site and online catalogues.under 1% of time
Robots can technically do this7 · 41% of time
Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.
- Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.Robots: purpose built settings17% of time
- Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans.Robots: structured workplaces14% of time
- Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audio-visual equipment.Robots: structured workplaces3% of time
- Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-of-date items.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
- Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
- Deliver and retrieve items to and from departments by hand or using push carts.Robots: structured workplaces2% of time
- Assist in the preparation of book displays.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
Still needs a person3 · 8% of time
No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.
- Instruct patrons on how to use reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems.3% of time
- Maintain library equipment, such as photocopiers, scanners, and computers, and instruct patrons in proper use of such equipment.3% of time
- Take action to deal with disruptive or problem patrons.2% of time
Your week is not the average
Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.
What this means
AI can do most of this work faster, but a real part of the job still needs a person. Real use is still behind at 9 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. The people who learn which tasks to hand off will pull ahead.
What to do next
- Do the 3 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
- Get ahead on the 19 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Keep an eye on the 7 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
- Build on the 3 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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