librarian
Key facts
Are you passionate about information and helping others discover it? As a librarian, you'll be at the heart of knowledge access, connecting people with the resources they need to learn, explore, and thrive.
Librarians play a vital role in managing and developing information resources within libraries and related settings. Your day might involve curating collections, assisting users with research, organizing digital archives, and ensuring that information is accessible and discoverable. This occupation requires a blend of organizational skills, technological proficiency, and a dedication to serving diverse communities.
- • Managing library collections, including acquiring, cataloging, and discarding materials.
- • Assisting users with research inquiries and providing information literacy instruction.
- • Developing and maintaining library systems, both physical and digital.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Legal, social and cultural professionals — 186 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Czechia.
Longest-running shortage: Luxembourg, 2 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could librarian fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Cooperation?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?
Future Outlook for librarian
The outlook for librarian reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could librarian change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could librarian change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- provide library information
- perform customer management
- negotiate library contracts
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- analyse library users' queries
- evaluate information services using metrics
- conduct scholarly research
Tasks most exposed to automation
- manage digital libraries
- classify library materials
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Education
A typical day as a librarian
09 09:00 · Morning assess informational needs
10 10:30 · Mid-morning evaluate information services using metrics
12 12:00 · Midday analyse library users' queries
14 14:00 · Afternoon arrange interlibrary loans
15 15:30 · Late afternoon buy new library items
17 17:00 · Wrap-up classify library materials
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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collection management
The process of resource evaluation, selection and life-cycle planning to create and promote a coherent collection in line with the developing needs of the users or customers. Understanding legal deposit for long-term access to publications.
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post-secondary school procedures
The inner workings of a post-secondary school, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.
- scientific research methodology
- copyright legislation
- digitization
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analyse library users' queries
Analyse library users' requests to determine extra information. Assist in furnishing and locating that information.
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evaluate information services using metrics
Use bibliometrics, webometrics and web metrics to evaluate information services.
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manage digital libraries
Collect, manage and preserve for permanent access digital content and offer to targeted user communities specialised search and retrieval functionality.
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negotiate library contracts
Negotiate contracts for library services, materials, maintenance and equipment.
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develop solutions to information issues
Analyse information needs and challenges to develop effective technological solutions.
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conduct scholarly research
Plan scholarly research by formulating the research question and conducting empirical or literature research in order to investigate the truth of the research question.
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assess informational needs
Communicate with clients or users in order to identify which information they require and the methods with which they can access it.
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arrange interlibrary loans
Arrange interlibrary exchange of materials that are not available in a particular library.
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provide library information
Explain the use of library services, resources and equipment; provide information about library customs.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
Take the free Career DNA assessment to see how librarian aligns with your interests, work style, and future path. In less than 10 minutes, you will get a personalized fit signal and a roadmap for what to do next.
Scan to continue on mobileGrowth Pathways & Similar Roles
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Where does librarian fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of education is typically required to become a librarian?
- Most librarian positions require a Master's degree in Library Science (MLS) or a related field. Some entry-level roles might accept a Bachelor's degree combined with relevant experience.
- What skills are important for success as a librarian, beyond just a love of books?
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and technological literacy are essential. You'll also need excellent communication and interpersonal skills to assist users effectively. The ability to adapt to evolving technologies and information landscapes is also crucial.
- Are there opportunities for librarians outside of traditional library settings?
- Yes! Librarians are increasingly employed in various sectors, including archives, museums, corporations, government agencies, and online information providers. Your skills in information management and research are valuable across many industries.
- Librarian — is there a shortage in Europe?
- No. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a surplus was reported in 6 of the 7 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Spain and 2 more. One country reported a shortage. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Librarian — what does it pay in the United States?
- $64,320 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $42,980 to $100,030. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.
- Librarian — is it a regulated profession?
- It is listed as a regulated profession in 6 European countries: Slovenia, Finland, Norway, Iceland and 2 more. The lowest qualification level required among them is EQF 6. Where a profession is regulated, a qualification earned elsewhere has to be formally recognised before you can practise. Source: EU Regulated Professions Database.