Library Scientist Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Workplace Type: On-site

Job Location: Provo, Utah, or Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Regular travel is required

Job Type: Full-time, 40 hours/week, in-office

Reports to: President

Direct Reports: Operations Managers (one for Metadata, one for On-Site), who in turn lead Project Managers, Team Leaders, and teams of Catalogers and Technicians

Compensation:

• $66,664 to $88,192 per year, commensurate with experience

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) + matching
• Paid time off
• Profit sharing

Experience:

• 2–5+ years working with library catalog metadata, including MARC and RDA (Required)
• MLIS or equivalent library science degree (Preferred)
• Experience leading and managing teams (Preferred)

POSITION OVERVIEW

Backstage Library Works is looking for a cataloging-minded leader to own and elevate our Collection Management Services department—which includes Metadata Services and On-Site Services—on behalf of the libraries, universities, and historical societies we serve. This is a role for someone who lives and breathes bibliographic quality. You can look at a MARC record or a backlog and immediately see where the standards, the workflow, or the people need attention.

You will be responsible for the full scope of cataloging and on-site work: original and copy cataloging, metadata enrichment, and the day-to-day production standards that keep our reputation for quality intact. You will also lead the people who lead the work. These are your two Operations Managers and, through them, our catalogers and technicians working at our the Provo, Utah, and Bethlehem Pennsylvania, offices, and on-site at libraries across the world.

Our processing goals and quality standards are strong today, but they are not static. If you lead with curiosity, hold the line on quality, and are not afraid to push the department in new directions, you will fit right in for this role.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Cataloging quality & standards. Own the quality bar for original and copy cataloging and metadata enrichment across both sites and all contractor teams.
• Production performance. Monitor daily, weekly, and monthly production and quality metrics across Metadata and On-Site, identify bottlenecks, and set targets that stretch the team without breaking quality.
• People leadership. Manage and mentor two Operations Managers, helping them grow as leaders and helping their teams succeed.
• Contractor program oversight. Steward our contractor cataloging program, including world-language and specialized-subject contractors, ensuring consistent quality, throughput, and communication.
• Department structure. Shape how the Metadata and On-Site teams are organized, how work flows between Provo and Bethlehem, and how the two departments coordinate as we scale.
• Stakeholder communication. Keep consistent, clear communication with library partners and clients on cataloging projects, timelines, and quality outcomes.
• Budget ownership. Manage expenses against budget for both departments – working within existing plans and building out future budgets as you take full ownership of departmental financials.
• Goals & standards. Set and steward cataloging and production goals, holding the line where it matters and refining targets based on similar projects produced in the past.
• Innovation with an eye on scale. Pursue improvements in cataloging workflow, tooling, and training at every level, always weighing near-term scalability and long-term quality.
• Sales & marketing partnership. Collaborate on initiatives, quote generation and presentation, collateral, and pricing for Metadata and On-Site services.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Deep cataloging expertise. You know MARC, RDA, and classification, and can speak it with those who also know and translate for those who may not. You are comfortable owning production and quality numbers and using them to drive decisions—not just tracking time.
• Significant professional cataloging experience, including original cataloging and copy cataloging.
• Experience leading or managing teams, especially across multiple sites or a distributed/contractor workforce.
• A track record of setting and improving production standards without sacrificing quality.
• Strong, steady communication skills with both internal teams and external partners.
• Comfort balancing hands-on cataloging judgment calls with longer-term departmental planning.

PREFERRED

• MLIS or equivalent library science background.
• Familiarity with library systems and metadata tools used in a production cataloging environment.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE (First 6-12 Months)

• You understand Backstage cataloging and on-site workflows deeply and have a clear picture of where the opportunities are.
• Your two Operations Managers feel well-supported and are growing into stronger leaders.
• Cataloging quality and production are measurably tighter, with documented improvements you can point to.
• Partners and stakeholders consistently hear from us proactively on cataloging and on-site projects.
• You have gained a better idea of which markets to focus on and help direct our marketing efforts towards those clients.

COMPENSATION

• Salary: $66,664 to $88,192 per year, commensurate with experience.
• Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and annual profit sharing.

TO APPLY

• Please submit a resume and cover letter/email to Nate Cothran, President

Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

Learn More About Us! We have a blog that regularly updates about the latest topics in the industry and a conference schedule, which is a great way to network and attend discussions about contemporary librarianship. Visit www.bslw.com to get to know the company.