Multiple People Opening One Library

It is possible to share a read-only copy of a library on a local area network (LAN) drive. However, keeping a read-write library on a network drive is strongly discouraged and can lead to library corruption. To avoid library corruption, keep the master library on the computer of the library administrator and put a read-only copy of the library on the network drive. If there is more than one administrator, the administrators should share access to the library through EndNote's Sync's Library Sharing, not by trying to update the library on a network drive, then the "main" administrator should put the copy on the network drive, to keep the record numbers consistent (record numbers change with sync). See  The EndNote Library is Corrupted, Record Numbers, and About Shared Libraries.

EndNote does not perform record-locking functions that would allow multiple users to edit one library at the same time. However, multiple users can access one EndNote library simultaneously as long as the library is restricted to read-only or locked status. This will allow users to perform searches, copy information to their documents, and format their papers. Use File Explorer to change the Properties of your EndNote library; select the Read-Only attribute for the .enl file and the .Data folder.

The simplest way to set up an EndNote library for shared network access is to use the network’s system of file permissions to control the type of access allowed for users and groups. Except for the person who posts the database, grant all users read-only access.

One person should be assigned the responsibility for maintaining and updating the library on their computer, not on the network. This user should be granted full access to the file and should periodically post an updated copy of the library on the network for all other users, with read-only access.