Introduction to Libraries in SharePoint 2010 - EPC Group
1. Introduction to libraries
Applies to: Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010
A library is a location on a site where you can create, collect, update, and manage files with team
members. Each library displays a list of files and key information about the files, which helps members use
the files to work together. You can choose from a number of ready-to-use libraries and library templates
that provide a good starting point for organizing your files. After you create a library, you can customize it
in several ways. For example, you can control how documents are viewed, managed, and created. Or, you
can track versions, including how many and which type of versions. You can even create custom views,
forms, and workflows to make your projects and business processes go much smoother.
Overview of libraries
Instead of your team hunting around for documents in different locations, such as personal computers,
network disks, and e-mail folders, it's much more efficient to use a SharePoint library as a central location
that everyone on your team can see and use.
WHAT IS A LIBRARY?
A SharePoint library is a location on a site where you can
create, store, update, and collaborate on files with team
members. Each type of library — document, picture, form,
wiki page, asset, translation management, report, record,
data connections, and slide — displays a list of files and key
information about the files, such as who was the last person
to modify the file. You can choose from several types of libraries, depending on the types of files that you
want to store and how you plan to use them. Once you are done with a library, you can archive files,
delete the unused library, and save server disk space.
You can also customize libraries in several ways. You can control how documents are viewed, tracked,
managed, and created. You can track versions, including how many and which type of versions, and you
can limit who can see documents before they are approved. To streamline a business process, you can use
workflows to collaborate on documents in libraries. To reduce clutter, you can specify information
management policies to manage the handling and expiration of documents within libraries.
HOW DOES A TYPICAL TEAM USE A LIBRARY?
A marketing team at Contoso needs to work together on project and group documents. The team
members need a central location where they can collaborate on documents, keep track of their calendars
and meetings, manage projects, and track team tasks. This team also has a contractor living in a remote
location, so there is an added benefit to using SharePoint 2010.