Reference Librarian Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Announcement
Details
Open Date
07/28/2026
Requisition Number
PRN17282N
Job Title
UU Student - Library
Working Title
Metadata Assistant
Career Progression Track
SJ
Track Level
FLSA Code
Nonexempt
Patient Sensitive Job Code?
No
Type
Non Benefited Staff / Student
Temporary?
No
Standard Hours per Week
19
Full Time or Part Time?
Part Time
Shift
Day
Work Schedule Summary
One year temporary position. Onsite, Monday through Friday. 9:00am - 5:00pm.
Is this a work study job?
No
VP Area
Academic Affairs
Department
00790 - Marriott Library - Operations
Location
Campus
City
Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment
External Posting
Pay Rate Range
15.00
Close Date
09/08/2026
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
Job Summary
If you have a keen eye for detail and an interest in history, research, and writing, you may be just the person to assist with further developing the digital library at the Marriott Library. The metadata technician will describe digital library materials, providing information to assist researchers in searching for items in the digital library at the J. Willard Marriott Library. The digital library at https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ currently hosts more than 400 digital collections, containing over a million photographs, maps, books, audio recordings, and other items. This is an ideal position for an organized person with great attention to detail and ability to learn new software who enjoys research and working independently.
You will mostly work with audio visual material (moving image video and audio) and other items to create descriptions of the material, including identifying content, locations, dates and assigning subject headings and keywords. You will be able to use various software to transcribe and summarize information from digital library items, and be comfortable working with spreadsheet software such as Excel or Google Sheets. The metadata technician may also work to enhance and remediate existing collections by editing and adding additional descriptive information in digital library collections.
For the Library to be able to appropriately monitor hours worked, part-time employees are generally asked to restrict their work with the University of Utah to Library employment only, unless an exception is granted.
Responsibilities

• The metadata assistant is responsible for working with the digital initiatives librarian to assist in creating metadata for audio visual materials and identifying workflow efficiencies where possible.
• The metadata assistant may also assist in analyzing, describing and entering data for digitized library materials that are in text and image formats; records statistics for items processed; and performs other projects as they arise, such as updating existing digital collections.
• The metadata assistant should have or have the capacity to learn the ability to identify the subject of primary source materials, to assign appropriate subject headings and keywords, and to identify authors and titles. In addition, the ability to use the internet and other reference resources to discover accurate and relevant information about digitized objects is desired, as is the ability to summarize the textual content of a written document in a digital collection.
• Performs targeted metadata clean-up tasks by enhancing or correcting information in digital collections and the library catalog. The ability to perform repetitive tasks like searching, copying and pasting information efficiently and accurately.

Minimum Qualifications
Preferences
The ability to perform detailed and often repetitive work on a computer. Experience using a computer and Windows software; and willingness and ability to learn and use new software as needed. English language skills (grammar, spelling, written and oral) a must. Ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships within the Department and the Library. Knowledge of and interest in the history of the western United States, especially Utah, is preferred. Knowledge of, or experience with, metadata cataloging would be preferred. This position calls for a person who is well-organized and can keep track of multiple assignments in a professional library environment.
Current University of Utah student enrolled in at least 6 undergraduate credit hours or 5 graduate credit hours during the fall and spring semesters.
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non-Discrimination page.
Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu
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