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Boston Career Explorer

Office and Administrative Support

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.

Also called: Acquisitions Assistant, Cataloging Assistant, Library Aide, Library Assistant, Library Associate, Library Circulation Assistant

Median pay in Greater Boston
$45,890
$22.06/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
2,130
Massachusetts 2024–2034
−6.4%
420 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
High school diploma or equivalent
plus Short-term on-the-job training

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$32,130$35,990$45,890$51,310$60,610

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • 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.
  • Enter and update patrons' records on computers.
  • Answer routine inquiries and refer patrons in need of professional assistance to librarians.
  • Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out-of-date items.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Moderate exposure58 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 52
  • Language-model AIOE 53
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 70

Observed AI use today: Some (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure for this job is moderate, and AI tools see some use in this kind of work. Tools can help with updating patron records and answering routine questions. Federal projections say demand will fall as patrons use digital books and other resources on their own. Shelving, finding materials, and helping people in person are less affected. Massachusetts jobs are projected to shrink 6.4% from 2024 to 2034.

Likely to change

  • Updating patron records on computers
  • Answering routine patron questions

Still relies on people

  • Helping patrons find materials in person
  • Sorting and shelving physical items

What federal projections say

“Demand change - share decreases as library patrons utilize resources and materials that do not require library assistants, such as programs, digital books and audiobooks, and other physical technologies.”
BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, factors affecting this job (U.S.)

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

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Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

No college programs near Boston map to this job. Many people enter through on-the-job training or apprenticeship.

Talk to a career coach at the Office of Workforce Development about apprenticeships and City partner programs.

Related occupations

Talk to a career coach

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