Career Explorer Office and admin
Changing shape
Library assistants, clerical
Compile records, and sort, shelve, issue, and receive library materials such as books, electronic media, pictures, cards, slides and microfilm. Locate library materials for loan and replace material in shelving area, stacks, or files according to identification number and title. Register patrons to permit them to borrow books, periodicals, and other library materials.
Among the careers AI is changing fastest: more resilient than 12% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by -6.4% by 2035, expected to shrink. The work leans on emotional intelligence.
AI can do many of the tasks, and hiring is expected to grow slower than average or to shrink. The job is likely to change, so build the human parts of it.
- Median pay (2025)
- $36,910
- Job growth to 2035
- -6.4%
- Openings a year
- 12,300
- People doing it (2025)
- 89,500
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then short on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Perform administrative or clerical activities
- Provide information to guests, clients, or customers
- Maintain safety or security
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Sort materials or products
- Maintain operational records
- Distribute materials, supplies, or resources
What the work looks like
- Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
- Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audio-visual equipment.
- Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures.
- Classify and catalog items according to content and purpose.
- Enter and update patrons' records on computers.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- Fewer of these jobs, as library patrons utilize resources and materials that do not require library assistants, such as programs, digital books and audiobooks, and other physical technologies.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Medical secretaries and administrative assistantsGrows with AI, Index 16, +4.8%
- Waiters and waitressesHuman edge, steady, Index 50, +2.0%
- Counter and rental clerksChanging shape, Index 16, +3.0%
- Amusement and recreation attendantsGrows with AI, Index 33, +3.7%
Also known as: Library Aide, Library Assistant, Library Circulation Assistant, Library Clerk, Acquisitions Assistant, Cataloging Assistant, Library Associate, Library Clerical Assistant.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.