Library Assistants, Clerical
Machines can already do 26% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 62%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Library Assistants, Clerical in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 26% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 10% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 62% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 85,520 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $36,910 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 82% for contact with people.
- Also called: Acquisitions Assistant, Cataloging Assistant, Library Aide, Library Assistant.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sort books, publications, and other items according to established procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas | 17% | 20% to 60% | |
| Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans | 14% | 30% to 75% | |
| Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, tape cassettes, Braille volumes, and pictures | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Answer routine inquiries and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians | 6% | 10% to 32% | |
| Enter and update patrons' records on computers | 5% | 65% to 92% | |
| Perform clerical activities, such as answering phones, sorting mail, filing, typing, word processing, and photocopying and mailing out material | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and audio-visual equipment | 3% | 30% to 75% | |
| Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-of-date items | 3% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills library assistants, clerical use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Funeral Attendants53% of tasks by 2035 · US median $35,680
- Library Technicians52% of tasks by 2035 · US median $44,580
- Sailors and Marine Oilers57% of tasks by 2035 · US median $51,520
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders60% of tasks by 2035 · US median $48,250
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Library Assistants, Clerical?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of library assistants, clerical?
Machines can do 26% of the tasks of library assistants, clerical today and 62% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 43-4121.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Library Assistants, Clerical: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/library-assistants-clerical/