Our institution uses Zotero group libraries extensively with students, and we need greater control over what they can and can't do. Currently, Zotero only allows two roles for users: member and admin. Related permissions include who can edit the library, and who can edit files (if allowed). I propose a scheme similar to that used in many other online apps whereby additional roles can be created, each tied to specific permissions, such as:

• Ability to add, edit, or delete items (possibly granular, e.g., in specific collections)
• Ability to add, edit, or delete tags
• Ability to add, edit, or delete collections

We've especially felt the need to have more customizable control over users after encountering issues related to syncing (which itself would reasonably be tied to roles, so that certain roles take precedence during sync conflicts).

I'm hearing of others who have made this sort of general request in past (see here and here); this feature seems basic to any efficient administration of a group library. It looks like there's no official (at least public) development roadmap for Zotero, but what would be a reasonable timeframe to include this very important feature?

Many thanks,

Jim Proctor
Professor of Environmental Studies
Lewis & Clark College