Will AI replace librarians?
Updated
Librarians score 50 of 100 for AI exposure. The largest share of their task time, 61%, is work AI speeds up while they stay in charge. AI can take over 13% outright, and 26% stays with people.
- 13% AI can do it
- 61% AI helps
- 26% Needs a person
High exposure
Higher than 75% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 30 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can do 4 of them today, speeds up 18 and leaves 8 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audio-visual materials on particular subjects. Bibliography compilation is a strong fit for AI search. | 80% AI can do it |
| Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials, based on subject matter or standard library classification systems. Subject headings and classification suit AI; physical items need handling. | 68% AI can do it |
| Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions. AI search answers most reference questions; librarian verifies sources. | 65% AI can do it |
| Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library. ILL requests are mostly digital workflows; partner contact remains. | 62% AI can do it |
| Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot information access aids, such as databases, annotated bibliographies, Web pages, electronic pathfinders, software programs, and online tutorials. AI can draft guides and code; upkeep needs system access. | 58% AI helps |
| Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors. Record fixes are digital; physical inventory counts need staff. | 55% AI helps |
| Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources. AI can summarize reviews; selection judgment and budget stay human. | 50% AI helps |
| Develop library policies and procedures. AI drafts policies quickly; approval and local judgment stay human. | 50% AI helps |
| Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information. AI can clarify requests, but reference interviews need human rapport. | 45% AI helps |
| Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services, and provide information about library policies. AI chatbots answer policy questions; in-person guidance still needed. | 45% AI helps |
Show the other 20 tasks
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Evaluate materials to determine outdated or unused items to be discarded. Weeding needs usage data and physical condition checks. | 45% AI helps |
| 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 drafts newsletters; storytelling and special programs need people. | 40% AI helps |
| Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests. AI finds leads; rare materials need verification and physical access. | 40% AI helps |
| Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases. Live teaching is in person; AI helps prepare materials. | 35% AI helps |
| Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use. AI drafts lesson plans; live instruction stays with the librarian. | 35% AI helps |
| Train faculty and media staff on the use of software and audio-visual equipment. AI can build training materials; live hands-on coaching stays human. | 35% AI helps |
| Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders. AI aids comparison and orders; negotiation is human. | 35% AI helps |
| Maintain inventory of audio-visual equipment. Inventory records are digital; physical equipment checks need staff. | 35% AI helps |
| Check books in and out of the library. Self-checkout and RFID already automate much; physical handling remains. | 30% AI helps |
| Confer with teachers to select course materials and to determine which training aids are best suited to particular grade levels. Teacher consultations are conversational; AI helps suggest materials. | 30% AI helps |
| Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations. Budgeting drafts aided by AI; personnel decisions remain human. | 25% AI helps |
| Maintain hardware and software, including computers, media equipment, scanners, color copiers, and color laser printers. Hardware repair is physical; AI helps with software troubleshooting. | 25% AI helps |
| Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary. Complaints need empathy and accountability; AI drafts only replies. | 18% Needs a person |
| Troubleshoot problems with audio-visual equipment. Hands-on equipment repair is physical; AI only guides steps. | 18% Needs a person |
| Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use. Staff leadership and hands-on coaching are human tasks. | 18% Needs a person |
| Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer. Relationship building with people; little AI substitution possible. | 12% Needs a person |
| Represent library or institution on internal and external committees. Committee presence and representation require people. | 12% Needs a person |
| Set up, adjust, and operate audio-visual equipment, such as cameras, film and slide projectors, and recording equipment, for meetings, events, classes, seminars, and video conferences. Live event setup needs physical handling of equipment. | 12% Needs a person |
| Engage in professional development activities, such as taking continuing education classes and attending or participating in conferences, workshops, professional meetings, and associations. Attending conferences and workshops is inherently in-person. | 8% Needs a person |
| Assemble and arrange display materials. Physical display arrangement needs hands and visual judgment. | 8% Needs a person |
How librarians compare
All occupations (923)
Educational instruction and library (62)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $68,270 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 133,790 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- +2.6% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Run catalog record audits in Springshare LibGuides
- Build subject guides and pathfinders in Springshare LibGuides
- Verify AI-compiled bibliographies against primary catalogs in Microsoft Excel
- Run in-person library instruction sessions with PowerPoint slides
- Hold relationships with faculty and community committees in person
- Maintain physical collection inventory and shelf counts
Safer roles nearby
5 related occupations with lower scores.
Questions about librarians and AI
Will librarians be replaced by AI?
Partly. About 4 in 10 working hours go to tasks AI can already do, mostly compiling bibliographies and classifying and cataloging materials. Reference searching and interlibrary loan requests are next. What stays with people is verifying sources, handling physical collections, and deciding what the library offers its community.
Which library tasks is AI taking over?
Bibliography compilation has an exposure score of 80, the highest in this job, because AI search can assemble lists of books and articles on a subject quickly. Cataloging and classification, scored 68, also fit AI since subject headings follow standard systems. Interlibrary loan requests, scored 62, are mostly digital workflows now.
Which library tasks stay with people?
Committee work, colleague and community consultation, and setting up audio-visual equipment for events score 12 or lower on exposure. These tasks depend on relationships, physical equipment, and judgment in the room. Complaint handling, scored 18, also stays human because patrons need someone accountable for the outcome.
How can librarians stay valuable as AI takes over search and cataloging?
Verify every AI-compiled list against the library catalog and cite sources you have checked yourself. Build subject guides in Springshare LibGuides that patrons trust. Lead in-person instruction, serve on committees, and keep physical collection audits current. Those tasks carry the most weight in this role.
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