Skip to content
Salesforce Dictionary - Free Salesforce GlossarySalesforce Dictionary
Full Library Permission entry
How-to guide

How to create and assign a custom Library Permission

Create a custom Library Permission when the three shipped permissions (Viewer, Author, Library Administrator) do not match what a team should be able to do. You build the permission once under Setup, then assign it to members on each library. You need the Manage Content Permissions or Manage Salesforce CRM Content user permission.

By Dipojjal Chakrabarti · Founder & Editor, Salesforce DictionaryLast updated Jun 16, 2026

Create a custom Library Permission when the three shipped permissions (Viewer, Author, Library Administrator) do not match what a team should be able to do. You build the permission once under Setup, then assign it to members on each library. You need the Manage Content Permissions or Manage Salesforce CRM Content user permission.

  1. Open Content Permissions

    From Setup, type Content Permissions in the Quick Find box and select Content Permissions. This page lists every Library Permission in the org, including the three defaults.

  2. Add a new permission

    Click Add Library Permission. Give it a clear Name (for example Contributor No Delete) and an optional Description so future admins know its intent.

  3. Select the privileges

    In the Permissions section, check the privileges this permission should grant, such as Add Content and Tag Content, and leave risky ones like Delete Content or Manage Library unchecked. Save the record.

  4. Assign it to members

    Go to Files Home, open the dropdown next to the target library, choose Manage Members, add the users, public groups, or roles, and pick your new permission for each. They get that access only on this library.

Namerequired

The label that identifies this Library Permission in Setup and on the Manage Members screen. Make it describe the access, not the team.

Privileges (Permissions section)required

The set of checkboxes (Manage Library, Add Content, Delete Content, Tag Content, Deliver Content, comment privileges, folder privileges) that define exactly what a member can do.

Gotchas
  • A Library Permission grants nothing until it is attached to a member on a specific library; creating the record alone has no effect.
  • Manage Library is an all-powerful switch that includes deleting the library and changing members; grant it only to true administrators.
  • Editing a default permission (Author, Viewer) changes behaviour everywhere it is assigned, so clone it instead if you only want a variant.
  • Library Permissions never apply to personal libraries; you cannot use them to restrict what users save to their own personal library.

See the full Library Permission entry

Library Permission includes the definition, worked example, deep dive, related terms, and a quiz.