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Library assistant

Also called library clerk, library technician, assistant librarian

Library assistants assist the librarian in the day-to-day activities of the library. They help clients find the materials they need, check out library materials and restock the shelves.

Will there be jobs?Limited prospectsFewer people are expected to do this work by 2035.Other clerical support workersWhat does it pay?Below averageFrom about €1,100 (Bulgaria) to €5,000 (Luxembourg) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Other clerical support workersWhat do I need to study?Upper secondary or vocational5 in 10 finished upper secondary or vocational training.Other clerical support workersWill AI change it?ModeratelyLevel 4 of 6. AI could take on part of most tasks, but none fully.Library clerks · ILO

What you'd do

Library clerks · ILO
  • Issuing and receiving library books and other materials
  • Placing books and other library materials on shelves
  • Performing clerical activities such as manual and electronic filing, word processing and occasional typing
  • Maintaining journal subscriptions
  • Assisting library users in accessing basic library materials and making interlibrary loans
  • Maintaining library records relating to the acquisition, issue and return of books and other materials
Display library materialInstruct library users in digital literacyMaintain library inventoryManage library users queriesOrganise library material+ 7 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Lots of contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually under 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines now and then
  • Very repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Library Technicians"

Will there be jobs?

Limited prospects

Fewer jobs than in most work will need filling by 2035.

People working as other clerical support workers in the EU
1.69m1.67m1.11m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035

More people will leave this work than new people are needed.

Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Other clerical support workers-1
All jobs29
Right now
1 of 27 countries report a shortage of library clerks, 7 a surplus.
Library clerks · EURES

What does it pay?

Below average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,100 a month (Bulgaria) to €5,000 (Luxembourg), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among clerical support workers in the EU, women earn 9% less per hour than men. Clerical support workers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Upper secondary or vocational

Upper secondary or vocational training is the usual route.

Highest qualification of other clerical support workers (EU, 2025)
Degree 37%Vocational 37%General secondary 14%Basic schooling 11%

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Moderately

AI could take on part of most tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.46 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 6 tasks
Maintaining journal subscriptions0.67
Performing clerical activities such as manual and electronic filing, word processing and occasional typing0.60
Maintaining library records relating to the acquisition, issue and return of books and other materials0.52
Issuing and receiving library books and other materials0.41
Assisting library users in accessing basic library materials and making interlibrary loans0.40
Placing books and other library materials on shelves0.17

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for library clerks. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).