Will AI Replace Librarians and Media Collections Specialists?

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

information retrieval — Search sources for specific data is core

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

information retrieval — Guiding resource use; in-person help needed

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

interpersonal — Directing people requires live authority and accountability

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

interpersonal — Technology teaching needs live human demonstration

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

text generation — Standard classification systems applied to text records

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

interpersonal — Arranging operations requires live human negotiation

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

decision support — Material selection from criteria; educator finalizes

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

decision support — Routine ordering automatable; human approves purchases

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

interpersonal — Staff training is relational and accountability-bearing

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

decision support — Routine ordering automatable; human approves purchases

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

interpersonal — Technology teaching needs live human demonstration

Check books in and out of the library.

physical manipulation — Physical library materials handling and shelving

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

data analysis — Maintain operational records in structured systems

Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests.

information retrieval — Search sources for specific data is core

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

information retrieval — Guiding resource use; in-person help needed

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

text generation — Archival schema drafted; curation judgment human

Develop library policies and procedures.

text generation — AI drafts archival policies; curator approves

Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary.

information retrieval — Guiding resource use; in-person help needed

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

interpersonal — Attending meetings requires physical human presence

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

interpersonal — Public programs need community engagement and judgment

Confer with teachers to select course materials and to determine which training aids are best suited to particular grade levels.

interpersonal — Curriculum collaboration is professional consensus work

Represent library or institution on internal and external committees.

interpersonal — Committee service requires presence, negotiation, accountability

Maintain hardware and software, including computers, media equipment, scanners, color copiers, and color laser printers.

physical manipulation — Software side AI-assisted; hardware maintenance is hands-on

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

visual inspection — Repair-need determination needs hands-on inspection

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

information retrieval — Bibliography compilation from sources, human curates

Train faculty and media staff on the use of software and audio-visual equipment.

interpersonal — Technology teaching needs live human demonstration

Maintain inventory of audio-visual equipment.

data analysis — Maintain inventory records from provided counts

Assemble and arrange display materials.

physical manipulation — Constructing exhibits requires hands-on fabrication

Troubleshoot problems with audio-visual equipment.

decision support — Troubleshooting aided; hands-on diagnosis human

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.

physical manipulation — Audiovisual equipment set up and operated by hand