Library Assistants, Clerical

Classify and catalog items according to content and purpose.

AI: Fully automatable - NLP and classification models can analyze content and assign subject headings and classification codes (e.g., Dewey/LC) at scale with high accuracy.

Enter and update patrons' records on computers.

AI: Fully automatable - Data entry and record updates are routine digital operations that RPA and AI can perform reliably and at scale.

Answer routine inquiries and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians.

AI: Fully automatable - Chatbots and knowledge bases can handle routine inquiries and automatically triage or refer patrons needing professional librarian assistance.

Instruct patrons on how to use reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems.

AI: Fully automatable - AI-driven tutorials and conversational agents can fully instruct patrons on using reference sources, card catalogs, and automated information systems and adapt explanations in real time.

Review records, such as microfilm and issue cards, to identify titles of overdue materials and delinquent borrowers.

AI: Fully automatable - Automated record review, OCR of archival records, and system queries can reliably identify overdue titles and delinquent borrowers by 2025.

Send out notices and accept fine payments for lost or overdue books.

AI: Fully automatable - Notices can be generated and sent automatically and payments can be processed via integrated online/payment systems without human intervention.

Design or maintain library web site and online catalogues.

AI: Fully automatable - Generative AI and automation tools can design, update, and maintain websites and catalogs, integrate APIs, and manage metadata with minimal human intervention for routine tasks.

Prepare, store, and retrieve classification and catalog information, lecture notes, or other information related to stored documents, using computers.

AI: Fully automatable - AI systems can extract, assign, store, and retrieve metadata and related information from documents and integrate with library catalog systems with high accuracy.

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.

AI: Fully automatable - Price checking, cost calculations, form preparation, and routing procurement information are routine data tasks that can be fully automated with procurement software and AI assistants.

Select substitute titles when requested materials are unavailable, following criteria such as age, education, and interests.

AI: Fully automatable - Recommendation algorithms and LLMs can map age, education, and interest criteria to suitable substitute titles and provide justifications for choices.

Prepare library statistics reports.

AI: Fully automatable - Automated data pipelines, analytics, and reporting tools can aggregate circulation and usage data and generate library statistics reports without human intervention.

Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.

AI: Partial - Sorting and shelving require physical handling and spatial navigation that AI can only partially automate with specialized robotics in limited settings.

Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audio-visual equipment.

AI: Partial - Opening/closing and physically securing equipment require on-site presence and responsibility; electronic access control and remote monitoring can automate parts but not fully.

Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures.

AI: Partial - Locating materials combines catalog search (fully automatable) with physical retrieval across diverse formats, which still typically requires humans or specialized robots.

Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-dated items.

AI: Partial - Reserve management workflows (placing on reserve, check-in/out, removing outdated items) can be automated digitally, but physical handling of items remains manual in most libraries.

Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans.

AI: Partial - Electronic lending, reservation, and interlibrary loan processing can be automated, but the physical exchange and desk-based collection of materials still require human or robotic intervention.

Inspect returned books for condition and due-date status and compute any applicable fines.

AI: Partial - Due-date checks and fine calculations are fully automatable, but accurate physical condition inspection of returned books is only partially solvable with current computer vision and sensors.

Maintain records of items received, stored, issued, and returned and file catalog cards according to system used.

AI: Partial - AI can fully manage digital inventory and tracking but cannot physically file paper catalog cards or perform manual shelving tasks reliably in 2025.

Perform clerical activities, such as answering phones, sorting mail, filing, typing, word processing, and photocopying and mailing out material.

AI: Partial - Many clerical functions (call handling, typing, word processing, automated mail notifications) can be automated, but physical tasks like sorting mail, photocopying, and physically mailing items still require humans or onsite machinery.

Register new patrons and issue borrower identification cards that permit patrons to borrow books and other materials.

AI: Partial - Online registration, identity verification, and issuance of digital borrower credentials can be automated, but in-person ID checks and physical card issuance remain partially manual in many settings.

Operate small branch libraries, under the direction of off-site librarian supervisors.

AI: Partial - Self-checkout, remote supervision, and automation can handle many branch operations, but full operation—especially complex patron services and on-site issues—still requires human staff.

Process new materials including books, audio-visual materials, and computer software.

AI: Partial - Cataloging and metadata extraction for new materials can be largely automated, but physical processing steps (labeling, covering, spine labeling) still require human/manual work.

Provide assistance to librarians in the maintenance of collections of books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, and audio-visual and other materials.

AI: Partial - AI can assist librarians with collection maintenance tasks (weeding recommendations, classification, metadata cleanup), but hands-on collection handling and nuanced professional judgments are not fully automatable.

Plan or participate in library events and programs, such as story time with children.

AI: Partial - AI can plan events and run scripted or virtual programs, but in-person interactive programming (e.g., story time with children) needs human facilitators for responsiveness and safeguarding.

Maintain library equipment, such as photocopiers, scanners, and computers, and instruct patrons in proper use of such equipment.

AI: Partial - AI can diagnose issues remotely and provide user instruction, but physical maintenance and repairs of equipment still require human technicians.

Schedule, supervise, and train clerical workers, volunteers, student assistants, and other library employees.

AI: Partial - Scheduling and training content delivery can be automated and AI can support supervision, but full-fledged human management, conflict resolution, and professional judgment cannot be wholly automated.

Perform accounting and bookkeeping activities, such as invoicing, maintaining financial records, budgeting, and handling cash.

AI: Partial - Accounting software and AI automate invoicing, record-keeping, reconciliation, and budgeting, but physical cash handling and some compliance or judgement tasks still require humans.

Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment.

AI: Partial - AI and software can remotely control and automate many AV functions, but physical maintenance and on-site troubleshooting still require human technicians.

Take action to deal with disruptive or problem patrons.

AI: Partial - AI can detect disruptive behavior and recommend de-escalation scripts or policies but cannot reliably perform the in-person, safety- and legally-sensitive interventions required.

Place books in mailing containers, affix address labels, and secure containers with straps for mailing to blind library patrons.

AI: Partial - Label generation and workflow coordination can be automated, but the manual handling of books and physically packing/strapping containers typically requires human or robotic hardware not widely deployed in libraries by 2025.

Deliver and retrieve items to and from departments by hand or using push carts.

AI: Partial - Autonomous carts and delivery robots can handle some intra-building deliveries, but varied layouts, obstacles, and handling requirements mean many settings still rely on human delivery by hand or cart.

Assist in the preparation of book displays.

AI: Partial - AI can propose themes, layouts, and create signage or promotional materials for displays, but physically assembling and arranging book displays remains a manual task.

Repair books using mending tape, paste, and brushes or prepare books to be sent to a bindery for repair.

AI: Not automatable - Book repair is a hands-on conservation task requiring fine manual skills and judgment that AI cannot perform autonomously in 2025.