Librarians

Check books in and out of the library.

AI: Fully automatable - Self-checkout kiosks, barcode/RFID systems, and automation software already fully handle checking books in and out with minimal human intervention.

Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.

AI: Fully automatable - Adaptive tutors, chatbots, and interactive tutorials can effectively teach basic computer skills and database searching to patrons in most settings.

Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.

AI: Fully automatable - AI-powered search and retrieval-augmented systems can search standard reference sources and the internet and supply answers to most patron reference questions.

Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.

AI: Fully automatable - Integrated library systems, RFID/inventory tools, and automated cataloging/cleanup tools can maintain circulation records, inventory, and correct many cataloging errors.

Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.

AI: Fully automatable - Conversational AI and retrieval systems can analyze patron requests and locate or furnish needed information quickly and accurately for routine and many complex queries.

Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.

AI: Fully automatable - By 2025, models and automated metadata tools can reliably assign subject headings, classification numbers, and generate catalog records according to standard systems for the vast majority of materials.

Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services and provide information about library policies.

AI: Fully automatable - AI-powered assistants and knowledge bases can accurately explain facility use, resources, equipment operation, and policy details to patrons across common scenarios.

Compile lists of overdue materials and notify borrowers that their materials are overdue.

AI: Fully automatable - AI can fully automate compiling overdue lists and sending personalized borrower notifications and follow-ups via integrated library systems.

Compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audio-visual materials on particular subjects.

AI: Fully automatable - AI can fully compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audio-visual materials at scale using bibliographic databases, catalogs, and metadata and produce annotated outputs.

Author or publish professional articles, internal documents, and instructional materials.

AI: Fully automatable - AI can generate, format, and iterate professional articles, internal documents, and instructional materials end-to-end, producing publishable drafts that typically require only human review.

Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.

AI: Partial - AI can analyze reviews, usage statistics, and metadata to recommend materials, but final selection and policy-driven curation typically require human judgement.

Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.

AI: Partial - AI can assist with scheduling, budgeting analysis, and HR recommendations but cannot fully replace human leadership, personnel decisions, and legal/ethical judgment in supervision.

Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.

AI: Partial - AI can plan curricula and deliver instructional content online, but tailoring, assessment, and in-person pedagogical nuance for information literacy classes often still require human instructors.

Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer.

AI: Partial - AI can prepare meeting materials, analyze stakeholder input, and suggest collection strategies, but cannot fully replace the interpersonal negotiation and local relationship-building required to confer and decide with colleagues and community partners.

Develop and maintain databases that provide information for library users.

AI: Partial - AI can develop database schemas, ingest and index records, and automate many maintenance tasks, but ongoing governance, complex integrations, and policy decisions still require human oversight.

Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary.

AI: Partial - AI can handle routine complaint triage, scripted responses, and escalate cases, but complex conflict resolution and discretionary actions typically require human judgment and authority.

Plan and deliver client-centered programs and services, such as special services for corporate clients, storytelling for children, newsletters, or programs for special groups.

AI: Partial - AI can design program plans, produce content (e.g., stories, newsletters) and even run virtual sessions, but in-person delivery and adaptive, relationship-driven programming require human facilitators.

Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests.

AI: Partial - AI can search digital and online collections deeply and suggest leads for unusual queries, but locating unique or physical archival items often requires human archival expertise and on-site investigation.

Develop library policies and procedures.

AI: Partial - AI can draft policies and synthesize best practices and legal requirements, but final policy development needs human oversight, institutional context, and governance approval.

Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.

AI: Partial - AI can generate training materials, simulate scenarios, and provide on-demand coaching, yet directing staff, managing performance, and hands-on supervision remain human responsibilities.

Evaluate materials to determine outdated or unused items to be discarded.

AI: Partial - AI can analyze circulation metrics and usage patterns to recommend items for deselection, but curatorial decisions about cultural, historical, or community value require human judgment.

Organize collections of books, publications, documents, audio-visual aids, and other reference materials for convenient access.

AI: Partial - AI can design optimal organizational schemes and provide detailed instructions for arranging collections, but physical implementation and nuanced local adjustments still depend on human staff.

Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot information access aids, such as databases, annotated bibliographies, web pages, electronic pathfinders, software programs, and online tutorials.

AI: Partial - AI can generate and update access aids (databases, tutorials, web pages) and assist with many troubleshooting tasks but cannot fully autonomously maintain and resolve complex, context-specific issues in legacy systems.

Engage in professional development activities, such as taking continuing education classes and attending or participating in conferences, workshops, professional meetings, and associations.

AI: Partial - AI can curate learning materials, recommend and summarize conference content, and simulate participation, but it cannot genuinely attend, network, or hold professional standing in events on behalf of a person.

Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders.

AI: Partial - AI can analyze vendor performance, surface negotiation strategies, and draft contracts, but it cannot legally execute negotiations or assume contracting authority and judgment in complex procurement decisions.

Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library.

AI: Partial - AI can automate interlibrary loan requests, communications, and tracking within integrated systems but cannot handle all policy exceptions or physically manage material transfers without human intervention.

Negotiate contracts for library services, materials, and equipment.

AI: Partial - AI can draft contracts, analyze clauses, and suggest negotiation strategies but cannot autonomously conduct negotiations, sign agreements, or manage complex stakeholder relationships.

Perform public relations work for the library, such as giving televised book reviews and community talks.

AI: Partial - AI can produce scripts, generate synthetic televised/book-review content, and prepare talk materials, but genuine in-person community engagement and live appearances still require human presence and credibility.

Collect and organize books, pamphlets, manuscripts, and other materials in specific fields, such as rare books, genealogy, or music.

AI: Partial - AI can assist with metadata creation, provenance research, and selection recommendations for specialized collections, but cannot perform physical appraisal, conservation, or hands-on acquisition work.

Assemble and arrange display materials.

AI: Partial - AI can design display concepts, generate materials and placement plans, and produce instructions, but it cannot physically assemble or arrange display items without human or robotic execution.

Write proposals for research or project grants.

AI: Partial - AI can draft strong grant proposals, synthesize literature, and model budgets, but cannot fully originate research direction, ensure institutional approvals, or assume accountability for claims without human leadership.

Design information storage and retrieval systems and develop procedures for collecting, organizing, interpreting, and classifying information.

AI: Partial - AI can design metadata schemas, propose retrieval algorithms, and draft procedures for information organization, but final architecture, integration, and governance decisions require human system architects and implementers.

Plan and participate in fundraising drives.

AI: Partial - AI can plan fundraising campaigns, segment donors, and create messaging and materials, but cannot fully replace human relationship-building and live solicitation activities.

Provide input into the architectural planning of library facilities.

AI: Partial - AI can generate layout options, accessibility analyses, and planning recommendations for library facilities, but cannot substitute for on-site assessment, stakeholder negotiation, and final architectural approvals.

Represent library or institution on internal and external committees.

AI: Not automatable - AI cannot authentically represent an institution on committees because it lacks legal/organizational authority, authentic interpersonal advocacy, and the ability to make binding decisions on behalf of people.

Complete minor repairs and cleaning of library resources, equipment, and facilities, such as dusting and fixing printer paper jams.

AI: Not automatable - AI alone cannot perform physical repairs or cleaning tasks like dusting or fixing printer paper jams without specialized robotic hardware and human oversight.