Library Technicians

Reserve, circulate, renew, and discharge books and other materials.

AI: Fully automatable - Existing AI-enabled systems and automation can fully handle reservations, circulation, renewals, and discharges for routine library materials with minimal human intervention.

Answer routine telephone or in-person reference inquiries, referring patrons to librarians for further assistance, when necessary.

AI: Fully automatable - AI systems can effectively answer routine telephone or chat reference inquiries and escalate complex issues to librarians, covering the routine referral workflow end-to-end.

Enter and update patrons' records on computers.

AI: Fully automatable - Entering and updating patron records is a routine digital task that can be fully automated with RPA and integrated library systems, given proper privacy and verification safeguards.

Compile and maintain records relating to circulation, materials, and equipment.

AI: Fully automatable - Compiling and maintaining circulation and equipment records is a structured data task that can be fully automated by library management systems and AI analytics.

Process interlibrary loans for patrons.

AI: Fully automatable - Integrated ILL systems augmented by AI can place, route, track, and communicate about interlibrary loan requests end-to-end, automating the standard workflow.

Order all print and non-print library materials, checking prices, figuring costs, preparing order slips, and making payments.

AI: Fully automatable - Procurement and accounting systems driven by AI can check prices, calculate costs, prepare orders, and execute payments automatically for routine acquisitions.

Send out notices about lost or overdue books.

AI: Fully automatable - Automated library systems already generate and send overdue and lost-item notices without human intervention.

Retrieve information from central databases for storage in a library's computer.

AI: Fully automatable - AI can fully automate retrieval from central databases and ingestion into library systems via APIs, scripts, and RPA.

Compile data and create statistical reports on library usage.

AI: Fully automatable - Automated systems and AI can ingest usage data and generate statistical reports end-to-end without human intervention.

Claim missing issues of periodicals and journals.

AI: Fully automatable - Claiming missing issues is a repetitive administrative workflow (emails, vendor portals, record updates) that can be fully automated with AI/RPA integrations.

Design posters and special displays to promote use of library facilities or specific reading programs at libraries.

AI: Fully automatable - Generative design tools can create high-quality posters and display concepts automatically, though physical installation and some creative judgments may remain human tasks.

Compose explanatory summaries of contents of books and other reference materials.

AI: Fully automatable - Large language models can generate accurate explanatory summaries from digital texts or OCRed content, enabling full automation where the content is accessible.

Compile bibliographies and prepare abstracts on subjects of interest to particular organizations or groups.

AI: Fully automatable - AI can search databases, compile accurate bibliographies, and generate concise abstracts tailored to subject needs, making this task fully automatable.

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.

AI: Partial - AI can guide patrons to resources and provide remote technical assistance but lacks reliable in-person physical assistance and nuanced judgement.

Deliver and retrieve items throughout the library by hand or using pushcart.

AI: Partial - Physical delivery is partially automatable with robots in limited settings but most libraries rely on human handling for variable stacks and crowded, dynamic environments.

Process print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections.

AI: Partial - AI can automate metadata extraction, classification, and some processing steps for materials, but cannot perform physical tasks like labeling, covering, or binding without specialized machinery.

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.

AI: Partial - Cataloging metadata and sorting recommendations can be automated, but physically returning items to shelves requires human staff or specialized robotic systems not widely deployed.

Issue identification cards to borrowers.

AI: Partial - AI can verify identities, prepare digital borrower records and drive card-printing workflows, but physical issuance and certain identity-verification steps often require on-site human-supported processes.

Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects.

AI: Partial - AI can locate materials and help with research and project planning, but may lack the personalized, contextual, and pedagogical support that teachers and students sometimes need in person.

Review subject matter of materials to be classified and select classification numbers and headings according to classification systems.

AI: Partial - Machine-learning models can assign classification numbers and subject headings accurately for routine materials, but ambiguous, interdisciplinary, or culturally sensitive items still need human cataloger oversight.

Maintain and troubleshoot problems with library equipment, including computers, photocopiers, and audio-visual equipment.

AI: Partial - AI can diagnose many equipment issues, provide instructions, and automate software fixes, but complex hardware repairs and on-site maintenance still require human technicians.

Check for damaged library materials, such as books or audio-visual equipment, and provide replacements or make repairs.

AI: Partial - AI can detect damaged items and recommend replacements or repair procedures, but cannot perform physical repairs or procure and replace items without robotic/logistical support.

Collect fines and respond to complaints about fines.

AI: Partial - AI can automate online payment processing and handle many complaint responses via chatbots, but cannot fully replace in-person cash handling or nuanced dispute resolution.

Train other staff, volunteers, or student assistants and schedule and supervise their work.

AI: Partial - AI can create training materials, manage schedules, and provide supervisory tools, but cannot fully replicate human judgment and interpersonal management required to supervise staff and volunteers.

Conduct reference searches, using printed materials and in-house and online databases.

AI: Partial - AI can perform comprehensive reference searches across digital and online databases and synthesize results, but accessing and searching un‑digitized printed materials still requires human intervention or digitization.

Verify bibliographical data for materials, including author, title, publisher, publication date, and edition.

AI: Partial - AI can cross-check bibliographic metadata against authority files and online catalogs but still flounders on ambiguous, damaged, or physical-item-specific verifications that need human judgement.

Plan and conduct children's programs, community outreach programs, and other specialized programs, such as library tours.

AI: Partial - AI can plan program content, create materials, and run virtual sessions, but cannot fully perform in-person facilitation, supervision, and safety responsibilities.

Organize and maintain periodicals and reference materials.

AI: Partial - AI can manage electronic catalogs, metadata, and optimal organization schemes, but physical shelving, handling and preservation require human labor.

Design, customize, and maintain databases, web pages, and local area networks.

AI: Partial - AI can generate database schemas, web code and assist with network configurations, but complex design decisions, security, and ongoing maintenance still require human administrators.

Sort and deliver library mail and packages.

AI: Partial - AI can sort, route, and label mail virtually (barcode scanning, routing rules) but cannot physically pick up or deliver items without robotics and human oversight.

Collaborate with archivists to arrange for the safe storage of historical records and documents.

AI: Partial - AI can assist archivists with risk assessments, environmental-control recommendations, and documentation, but cannot execute delicate physical conservation or final curatorial judgments.

Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment, such as projectors, tape recorders, and videocassette recorders.

AI: Partial - AI can automate control, scheduling, diagnostics and provide repair guidance for AV equipment, but hands-on setup and physical maintenance still require human technicians.

Prepare volumes for binding.

AI: Partial - Preparing volumes for binding requires delicate, hands-on physical work that AI alone cannot perform broadly, though AI can guide or control specialized equipment in some settings.

File catalog cards according to system used.

AI: Partial - AI can automate cataloging, indexing, and provide instructions, but physically filing paper catalog cards is a manual task unless specialized robotics are available.

Take actions to halt disruption of library activities by problem patrons.

AI: Not automatable - Halting disruptive patrons requires human judgement, presence, and often physical or legal intervention; AI can only detect or alert staff, not reliably take action.