Will AI Replace Library Technicians?

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

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Enter and update patrons' records on computers.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

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

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

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

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

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

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Collect fines and respond to complaints about fines.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

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

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Compile data and create statistical reports on library usage.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Issue identification cards to borrowers.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Process interlibrary loans for patrons.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Send out notices about lost or overdue books.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Organize and maintain periodicals and reference materials.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Claim missing issues of periodicals and journals.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Sort and deliver library mail and packages.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

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

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

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

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.