Do you need one document library or many?

Here is a list of all the things that you need to consider when deciding whether to maintain one SharePoint document library or to use many ?

As you would imagine there is no correct answer, but hopefully this list allows you to make an informed decision.

Metadata Navigation

Metadata navigation is a better alternative to folders. It gives you the benefits of folders, but allows documents to viewed in many ways (which is like having a document in many folders).

Navigation hierarchies are configured at the document library level, so if you documents aren't of the same "type" it makes more sense to place them into more than 1 library.

Security

If you want to certain people (or groups) to access types of documents. Create a document library for each. As it's easier to manage security at the document library level.

You may have partners accessing SharePoint, consider creating a separate library for them so there's less chance of them seeing documents they aren't meant to.

Content Types

If you want certain content types to be grouped into one library (e.g. a library of forms) then go with multiple libraries.

Versioning

SharePoint document libraries support the ability to store multiple versions of a document. If you want to store multiple versions of for some types of documents, but not others, then you will need multiple libraries as this can only be configured at the library level.

Content Approval

As with versioning, you can only configure content approval at the library level. If you need to approval for some types of documents and not other then go with multiple document libraries.

Send To destinations

You can only configure per library. If you need multiple you will need multiple libraries.

Search

If you want some documents to appear in search results and not others, you will need to have multiple libraries.

Document Templates

If you need more than one template - you will need more than one library.

Item Scheduling

Item Scheduling allows a document to be published for a certain period. This also has requires that versioning be enabled as well as content approval. As with other features this can only be activated at the entire library.

Rating Settings

If you want some documents to be rated by end-users and other not to be, you will need multiple libraries.

Migrate to another version of SharePoint

As Microsoft release new versions of SharePoint its natural that organizations will want to migrate. However, migrating to a new version of SharePoint can be a lengthy and complex approach. If you have several smaller libraries it may be easier to move content in smaller chunks.

Performance

Depending on the version of SharePoint -there are limits to the number of documents that can be stored within a library before performance is impacted. For example, if you store more than 2000 documents per library (or folder).

There are also many other limits (columns, row sizes, view sizes, joins etc) that you need to made aware of. If you think you will hit these separate content into many libraries.

List Columns

List columns are either added directly or because a content type is added.

Columns are there to help describe the document and give it more meaning. If you have many different types of documents (e.g expenses, forms, financial reports), which all have columns, consider storing these in their own library.

This will keep the number of columns in the library to a manageable level and also make sure you don't hit the maximum number. 

Move or save ?

From time to you will want to move or save document libraries (by saving them as a template). There are upper limits on the amount of content. You may also not want all documents included in your template!

Views

If you create multiple views that are used time and time again, then keep documents together in one library as it's not possible to share views across libraries.

Folders

This is always a hot topic. My opinion is you should never use folders unless you want to use default metadata values. (Use metadata navigation instead).

Anyway, if you do want to use folders in some situations and not others this can only be configured at the library level.

Ownership

Ownership, as who owns a particular document, who owns a set of documents, who owns the library. Someone must be in charge to maintain, update, and delete the documents or the document library is just another file graveyard.

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