Disclosed is a system and method for coordinating the backup of multiple databases and file systems in a Content Manager system. This is accomplished by "pausing" the library server to enable the desired coordinated backup of all servers, that is, the Library Servers and the Resource Servers. The coordinated backup is accomplished by both "pausing" and coordinated backup, and without interrupting a transaction which is in progress. This is accomplished by a consideration of the full CM transaction rather then just the individual elemental library server and resource manager transactions. The effect is to allow existing operations to complete, and involves "pausing" the library server to enable coordinated backup of all servers without interrupting a content management transaction which is in progress, if they complete within an interval specified by the administrator.