diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 76a483d8f..c1cd00adb 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -40,6 +40,10 @@ NODE_MAX_OLD_SPACE_SIZE=2048
 # CORS origin for the frontend when served from a different domain than APP_URL
 # CLIENT_URL=https://app.example.com
 
+# Container folder used as the top of the library creation folder picker.
+# Defaults to / when unset. Set to /books to hide other container root folders.
+# LIBRARY_BROWSE_ROOT=/books
+
 # Set to false only if your platform manages bind mount ownership externally.
 # BOOKORBIT_FIX_PERMISSIONS=true
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e42dd87c7..976f31774 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -94,6 +94,8 @@ JWT_SECRET=                # signs login tokens          - openssl rand -hex 32
 SETUP_BOOTSTRAP_TOKEN=     # one-time setup wizard token - openssl rand -hex 16
 ```
 
+Optionally set `LIBRARY_BROWSE_ROOT=/books` to start the library folder picker at `/books` instead of `/`.
+
 Then start:
 
 ```bash
diff --git a/client/src/features/library/components/FolderPickerModal.vue b/client/src/features/library/components/FolderPickerModal.vue
index ca9cb2b7d..0f7aac862 100644
--- a/client/src/features/library/components/FolderPickerModal.vue
+++ b/client/src/features/library/components/FolderPickerModal.vue
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { ref, computed, watch, nextTick } from 'vue'
+import { ref, computed, watch, nextTick, onMounted } from 'vue'
 import { Folder, FolderOpen, FolderPlus, ChevronRight, ChevronUp, Search, X, Check, Loader2, HardDrive } from '@lucide/vue'
-import type { CreateFolderResult } from '@bookorbit/types'
+import type { CreateFolderResult, PathConfig } from '@bookorbit/types'
 import { api } from '@/lib/api'
 import { Tooltip, TooltipContent, TooltipTrigger } from '@/components/ui/tooltip'
 
@@ -15,9 +15,11 @@ const emit = defineEmits<{
   close: []
 }>()
 
+const browseRoot = ref('/')
 const currentPath = ref('/')
 const entries = ref<DirEntry[]>([])
 const loading = ref(false)
+const initialized = ref(false)
 const search = ref('')
 const error = ref<string | null>(null)
 
@@ -27,28 +29,35 @@ const filteredEntries = computed(() => {
 })
 
 const breadcrumbs = computed(() => {
-  if (currentPath.value === '/') return [{ label: '/', path: '/' }]
-  const parts = currentPath.value.split('/').filter(Boolean)
-  const crumbs = [{ label: '/', path: '/' }]
-  let built = ''
+  const root = normalizePath(browseRoot.value)
+  const current = normalizePath(currentPath.value)
+  const crumbs = [{ label: root, path: root }]
+  if (current === root) return crumbs
+
+  const relative = root === '/' ? current.slice(1) : current.slice(root.length + 1)
+  const parts = relative.split('/').filter(Boolean)
+  let built = root === '/' ? '' : root
   for (const part of parts) {
-    built += '/' + part
+    built = built ? `${built}/${part}` : `/${part}`
     crumbs.push({ label: part, path: built })
   }
   return crumbs
 })
 
-const canGoUp = computed(() => currentPath.value !== '/')
+const canGoUp = computed(() => normalizePath(currentPath.value) !== normalizePath(browseRoot.value))
 
 async function navigate(path: string) {
   search.value = ''
-  currentPath.value = path
+  const normalized = normalizePath(path)
+  currentPath.value = isAtOrBelowBrowseRoot(normalized) ? normalized : browseRoot.value
 }
 
 async function goUp() {
+  if (!canGoUp.value) return
   const parts = currentPath.value.split('/').filter(Boolean)
   parts.pop()
-  navigate(parts.length === 0 ? '/' : '/' + parts.join('/'))
+  const parent = parts.length === 0 ? '/' : '/' + parts.join('/')
+  navigate(parent)
 }
 
 async function loadEntries(path: string) {
@@ -70,7 +79,29 @@ async function loadEntries(path: string) {
   }
 }
 
-watch(currentPath, (p) => loadEntries(p), { immediate: true })
+async function loadConfig() {
+  try {
+    const res = await api('/api/v1/path/config')
+    if (res.ok) {
+      const config: PathConfig = await res.json()
+      browseRoot.value = normalizePath(config.root)
+    }
+  } catch {
+    browseRoot.value = '/'
+  } finally {
+    currentPath.value = browseRoot.value
+    await loadEntries(currentPath.value)
+    initialized.value = true
+  }
+}
+
+watch(currentPath, (p) => {
+  if (initialized.value) void loadEntries(p)
+})
+
+onMounted(() => {
+  void loadConfig()
+})
 
 function selectCurrent() {
   emit('select', currentPath.value)
@@ -138,6 +169,17 @@ function onNewFolderKeydown(e: KeyboardEvent) {
     cancelNewFolder()
   }
 }
+
+function normalizePath(path: string): string {
+  const trimmed = path.trim() || '/'
+  if (trimmed === '/') return '/'
+  return trimmed.replace(/\/+$/, '')
+}
+
+function isAtOrBelowBrowseRoot(path: string): boolean {
+  const root = normalizePath(browseRoot.value)
+  return root === '/' || path === root || path.startsWith(`${root}/`)
+}
 </script>
 
 <template>
diff --git a/client/src/features/library/components/__tests__/FolderPickerModal.spec.ts b/client/src/features/library/components/__tests__/FolderPickerModal.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0f12897e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/src/features/library/components/__tests__/FolderPickerModal.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+import { mount, flushPromises } from '@vue/test-utils'
+import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import FolderPickerModal from '../FolderPickerModal.vue'
+
+const apiMock = vi.hoisted(() => vi.fn<(input: RequestInfo | URL, init?: RequestInit) => Promise<Response>>())
+
+vi.mock('@/lib/api', () => ({
+  api: apiMock,
+}))
+
+const tooltipStubs = {
+  Teleport: true,
+  Tooltip: { template: '<div><slot /></div>' },
+  TooltipTrigger: { template: '<div><slot /></div>' },
+  TooltipContent: { template: '<div><slot /></div>' },
+}
+
+describe('FolderPickerModal', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    apiMock.mockReset()
+    apiMock.mockImplementation(async (input, init) => {
+      const url = String(input)
+      if (url === '/api/v1/path/config') return jsonResponse({ root: '/books' })
+      if (url === '/api/v1/path?path=%2Fbooks') return jsonResponse([{ name: 'Sci-Fi', path: '/books/Sci-Fi' }])
+      if (url === '/api/v1/path?path=%2Fbooks%2FSci-Fi') return jsonResponse([])
+      if (url === '/api/v1/path' && init?.method === 'POST') return jsonResponse({ name: 'New', path: '/books/New' })
+      return jsonResponse({}, 404)
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('loads the configured browse root before listing folders', async () => {
+    const wrapper = mountPicker()
+    await flushPromises()
+
+    expect(apiMock).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(1, '/api/v1/path/config')
+    expect(apiMock).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(2, '/api/v1/path?path=%2Fbooks')
+    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain('/books')
+    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain('Sci-Fi')
+  })
+
+  it('does not navigate above the configured browse root', async () => {
+    const wrapper = mountPicker()
+    await flushPromises()
+
+    await folderButton(wrapper, 'Sci-Fi').trigger('click')
+    await flushPromises()
+    await (wrapper.vm as unknown as { goUp: () => Promise<void> }).goUp()
+
+    expect((wrapper.vm as unknown as { currentPath: string }).currentPath).toBe('/books')
+  })
+
+  it('creates folders under the configured browse root', async () => {
+    const wrapper = mountPicker()
+    await flushPromises()
+
+    await buttonByText(wrapper, 'New folder').trigger('click')
+    await wrapper.get('input[placeholder="New folder name"]').setValue('New')
+    await buttonByText(wrapper, 'Create').trigger('click')
+    await flushPromises()
+
+    const createCall = apiMock.mock.calls.find(([url, init]) => String(url) === '/api/v1/path' && init?.method === 'POST')
+    expect(JSON.parse(createCall?.[1]?.body as string)).toEqual({ parentPath: '/books', name: 'New' })
+  })
+})
+
+function mountPicker() {
+  return mount(FolderPickerModal, {
+    global: {
+      stubs: tooltipStubs,
+    },
+  })
+}
+
+function buttonByText(wrapper: ReturnType<typeof mountPicker>, text: string) {
+  const button = wrapper.findAll('button').find((candidate) => candidate.text().trim() === text)
+  if (!button) throw new Error(`Button not found: ${text}`)
+  return button
+}
+
+function folderButton(wrapper: ReturnType<typeof mountPicker>, text: string) {
+  const button = wrapper.findAll('button').find((candidate) => candidate.text().includes(text))
+  if (!button) throw new Error(`Folder button not found: ${text}`)
+  return button
+}
+
+function jsonResponse(body: unknown, status = 200): Response {
+  return new Response(JSON.stringify(body), {
+    status,
+    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+  })
+}
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 06a68631f..8892f9472 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ services:
       PGID: ${PGID:-1000}
       NODE_MAX_OLD_SPACE_SIZE: ${NODE_MAX_OLD_SPACE_SIZE:-auto}
       BOOK_DOCK_PATH: ${BOOK_DOCK_PATH:-}
+      LIBRARY_BROWSE_ROOT: ${LIBRARY_BROWSE_ROOT:-}
     depends_on:
       postgres:
         condition: service_healthy
diff --git a/docs/DEVELOPMENT.md b/docs/DEVELOPMENT.md
index 3d1cd04be..225329a93 100644
--- a/docs/DEVELOPMENT.md
+++ b/docs/DEVELOPMENT.md
@@ -224,15 +224,16 @@ pnpm --filter @bookorbit/types dev
 
 These are the variables you are most likely to need during development. See `server/.env.example` for the full list with comments.
 
-| Variable          | Purpose                            | Default (dev)                                             |
-| ----------------- | ---------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
-| `DATABASE_URL`    | PostgreSQL connection string       | `postgres://bookorbit:bookorbit@localhost:5432/bookorbit` |
-| `PORT`            | Server listen port                 | `3000`                                                    |
-| `NODE_ENV`        | Runtime mode                       | `development`                                             |
-| `JWT_SECRET`      | Signing key for auth tokens        | `change-me-in-production`                                 |
-| `APP_DATA_PATH`   | Storage for covers, avatars, cache | `../local/data`                                           |
-| `APP_URL`         | Base URL for email links           | `http://localhost:5173`                                   |
-| `SWAGGER_ENABLED` | Serve Swagger UI and OpenAPI JSON  | `false`                                                   |
+| Variable              | Purpose                            | Default (dev)                                             |
+| --------------------- | ---------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `DATABASE_URL`        | PostgreSQL connection string       | `postgres://bookorbit:bookorbit@localhost:5432/bookorbit` |
+| `PORT`                | Server listen port                 | `3000`                                                    |
+| `NODE_ENV`            | Runtime mode                       | `development`                                             |
+| `JWT_SECRET`          | Signing key for auth tokens        | `change-me-in-production`                                 |
+| `APP_DATA_PATH`       | Storage for covers, avatars, cache | `../local/data`                                           |
+| `LIBRARY_BROWSE_ROOT` | Library folder picker root         | `/`                                                       |
+| `APP_URL`             | Base URL for email links           | `http://localhost:5173`                                   |
+| `SWAGGER_ENABLED`     | Serve Swagger UI and OpenAPI JSON  | `false`                                                   |
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/packages/types/src/path.ts b/packages/types/src/path.ts
index 2d3231cee..733fa0e41 100644
--- a/packages/types/src/path.ts
+++ b/packages/types/src/path.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@ export interface DirectoryEntry {
   path: string;
 }
 
+export interface PathConfig {
+  root: string;
+}
+
 export interface CreateFolderRequest {
   parentPath: string;
   name: string;
diff --git a/server/.env.example b/server/.env.example
index d01465b0b..66e93b748 100644
--- a/server/.env.example
+++ b/server/.env.example
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@ SETUP_BOOTSTRAP_TOKEN=
 # ../local/data points to <project-root>/local/data.
 APP_DATA_PATH=../local/data
 
+# Top of the library creation folder picker. Defaults to / when unset.
+# Set this to the server-visible folder where users should create libraries.
+# LIBRARY_BROWSE_ROOT=../local/books
+
 # File write scheduler and concurrency tuning (optional)
 # FILE_WRITE_DEBOUNCE_MS=3000
 # FILE_WRITE_MAX_CONCURRENT_WRITES=2
diff --git a/server/src/config/config.test.ts b/server/src/config/config.test.ts
index c90c73135..72a452b03 100644
--- a/server/src/config/config.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/config/config.test.ts
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ function resetEnv(): void {
   delete process.env.SETUP_BOOTSTRAP_TOKEN;
   delete process.env.APP_DATA_PATH;
   delete process.env.BOOK_DOCK_PATH;
+  delete process.env.LIBRARY_BROWSE_ROOT;
   delete process.env.FILE_WRITE_DEBOUNCE_MS;
   delete process.env.FILE_WRITE_MAX_CONCURRENT_WRITES;
   delete process.env.EMAIL_ENCRYPTION_KEY;
@@ -100,11 +101,13 @@ describe('config', () => {
     process.env.APP_DATA_PATH = './tmp/bookorbit-data';
     expect(storageConfig().appDataPath).toBe(resolve('./tmp/bookorbit-data'));
     expect(storageConfig().bookDockPath).toBe(resolve('./tmp/bookorbit-data/book-dock'));
+    expect(storageConfig().libraryBrowseRoot).toBe(resolve('/'));
   });
 
   it('falls back storage path to /data when APP_DATA_PATH is not set', () => {
     expect(storageConfig().appDataPath).toBe(resolve('/data'));
     expect(storageConfig().bookDockPath).toBe(resolve('/data/book-dock'));
+    expect(storageConfig().libraryBrowseRoot).toBe(resolve('/'));
   });
 
   it('uses BOOK_DOCK_PATH as the Book Dock storage path when provided', () => {
@@ -114,6 +117,18 @@ describe('config', () => {
     expect(storageConfig().bookDockPath).toBe(resolve('/books/bookdrop'));
   });
 
+  it('uses LIBRARY_BROWSE_ROOT as the library folder picker root when provided', () => {
+    process.env.LIBRARY_BROWSE_ROOT = '/books';
+
+    expect(storageConfig().libraryBrowseRoot).toBe(resolve('/books'));
+  });
+
+  it('ignores blank LIBRARY_BROWSE_ROOT values from compose defaults', () => {
+    process.env.LIBRARY_BROWSE_ROOT = '';
+
+    expect(storageConfig().libraryBrowseRoot).toBe(resolve('/'));
+  });
+
   it('ignores blank BOOK_DOCK_PATH values from compose defaults', () => {
     process.env.APP_DATA_PATH = '/custom/data';
     process.env.BOOK_DOCK_PATH = '';
diff --git a/server/src/config/config.ts b/server/src/config/config.ts
index 4ad5bc6c4..c78a89a77 100644
--- a/server/src/config/config.ts
+++ b/server/src/config/config.ts
@@ -28,10 +28,12 @@ export const authConfig = registerAs('auth', () => ({
 export const storageConfig = registerAs('storage', () => {
   const appDataPath = resolve(process.env.APP_DATA_PATH ?? '/data');
   const bookDockPath = process.env.BOOK_DOCK_PATH?.trim();
+  const libraryBrowseRoot = process.env.LIBRARY_BROWSE_ROOT?.trim();
 
   return {
     appDataPath,
     bookDockPath: resolve(bookDockPath || join(appDataPath, 'book-dock')),
+    libraryBrowseRoot: resolve(libraryBrowseRoot || '/'),
   };
 });
 
diff --git a/server/src/config/env.validation.test.ts b/server/src/config/env.validation.test.ts
index b7acdbb4a..bd864d78c 100644
--- a/server/src/config/env.validation.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/config/env.validation.test.ts
@@ -116,4 +116,22 @@ describe('validateEnv', () => {
       }),
     ).not.toThrow();
   });
+
+  it('accepts a custom library browse root path', () => {
+    expect(() =>
+      validateEnv({
+        ...BASE_ENV,
+        LIBRARY_BROWSE_ROOT: '/books',
+      }),
+    ).not.toThrow();
+  });
+
+  it('accepts an empty library browse root as an unset override', () => {
+    expect(() =>
+      validateEnv({
+        ...BASE_ENV,
+        LIBRARY_BROWSE_ROOT: '',
+      }),
+    ).not.toThrow();
+  });
 });
diff --git a/server/src/config/env.validation.ts b/server/src/config/env.validation.ts
index b604e49b8..cee66a304 100644
--- a/server/src/config/env.validation.ts
+++ b/server/src/config/env.validation.ts
@@ -49,6 +49,10 @@ const envSchema = z.object({
     .string()
     .transform((val) => val.trim())
     .optional(),
+  LIBRARY_BROWSE_ROOT: z
+    .string()
+    .transform((val) => val.trim())
+    .optional(),
   FILE_WRITE_DEBOUNCE_MS: z.coerce.number().int().positive().optional(),
   FILE_WRITE_MAX_CONCURRENT_WRITES: z.coerce.number().int().positive().optional(),
   CLIENT_URL: z.string().url().optional(),
diff --git a/server/src/modules/library/library.module.ts b/server/src/modules/library/library.module.ts
index 1112451a5..b1f590781 100644
--- a/server/src/modules/library/library.module.ts
+++ b/server/src/modules/library/library.module.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { AppSettingsModule } from '../app-settings/app-settings.module';
 import { BookModule } from '../book/book.module';
 import { FileWriteModule } from '../file-write/file-write.module';
 import { NotificationModule } from '../notification/notification.module';
+import { PathModule } from '../path/path.module';
 import { ScannerModule } from '../scanner/scanner.module';
 import { BulkRenameService } from './bulk-rename.service';
 import { LibraryController } from './library.controller';
@@ -12,7 +13,15 @@ import { LibraryRepository } from './library.repository';
 import { LibraryService } from './library.service';
 
 @Module({
-  imports: [ScannerModule, AchievementModule, forwardRef(() => BookModule), FileWriteModule, forwardRef(() => NotificationModule), AppSettingsModule],
+  imports: [
+    ScannerModule,
+    AchievementModule,
+    forwardRef(() => BookModule),
+    FileWriteModule,
+    forwardRef(() => NotificationModule),
+    AppSettingsModule,
+    PathModule,
+  ],
   controllers: [LibraryController],
   providers: [LibraryService, LibraryRepository, BulkRenameService],
   exports: [LibraryService, LibraryRepository],
diff --git a/server/src/modules/library/library.service.test.ts b/server/src/modules/library/library.service.test.ts
index 3ffb2d9a0..b54ca4baa 100644
--- a/server/src/modules/library/library.service.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/modules/library/library.service.test.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ vi.mock('../scanner/lib/classify', () => ({
   isPrimaryFormat: vi.fn(),
 }));
 
-import { BadRequestException, ConflictException, InternalServerErrorException, NotFoundException } from '@nestjs/common';
+import { BadRequestException, ConflictException, ForbiddenException, InternalServerErrorException, NotFoundException } from '@nestjs/common';
 import { EMPTY_CONTENT_FILTER_RULES } from '@bookorbit/types';
 import { readdir, rm, stat } from 'fs/promises';
 
@@ -66,6 +66,10 @@ describe('LibraryService', () => {
   const achievementEvents = {
     emit: vi.fn(),
   };
+  const pathPolicy = {
+    assertWithinBrowseRoot: vi.fn((path: string) => Promise.resolve(path)),
+    resolveBrowsePath: vi.fn((path: string) => Promise.resolve(path)),
+  };
 
   let service: LibraryService;
 
@@ -79,12 +83,15 @@ describe('LibraryService', () => {
       fileWatcherService as any,
       fileWriteService as any,
       achievementEvents as any,
+      pathPolicy as any,
     );
 
     mockStat.mockResolvedValue({ isDirectory: () => true } as Awaited<ReturnType<typeof stat>>);
     mockReaddir.mockResolvedValue([] as unknown as Awaited<ReturnType<typeof readdir>>);
     mockRm.mockResolvedValue(undefined);
     mockIsPrimaryFormat.mockReturnValue(false);
+    pathPolicy.assertWithinBrowseRoot.mockImplementation((path: string) => Promise.resolve(path));
+    pathPolicy.resolveBrowsePath.mockImplementation((path: string) => Promise.resolve(path));
   });
 
   it('findAll uses scoped folder query for non-superusers', async () => {
@@ -220,6 +227,16 @@ describe('LibraryService', () => {
     await expect(service.create({ name: 'Dup', icon: 'BookOpen', folders: ['/x'] } as any)).rejects.toBeInstanceOf(ConflictException);
   });
 
+  it('create rejects folders outside the configured browse root before inserting the library', async () => {
+    libraryRepo.findByName.mockResolvedValue([]);
+    pathPolicy.assertWithinBrowseRoot.mockRejectedValue(new ForbiddenException('outside root'));
+
+    await expect(service.create({ name: 'Sci-Fi', icon: 'BookOpen', folders: ['/outside'] } as any)).rejects.toBeInstanceOf(ForbiddenException);
+
+    expect(libraryRepo.insert).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(libraryRepo.insertFolder).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
   it('create rejects missing icons', async () => {
     libraryRepo.findByName.mockResolvedValue([]);
 
@@ -248,6 +265,17 @@ describe('LibraryService', () => {
     expect(fileWatcherService.stopWatcher).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
+  it('update rejects folders outside the configured browse root before changing the library', async () => {
+    libraryRepo.findById.mockResolvedValue([{ id: 3, name: 'Current', icon: 'BookOpen', watch: false }]);
+    pathPolicy.assertWithinBrowseRoot.mockRejectedValue(new ForbiddenException('outside root'));
+
+    await expect(service.update(3, { folders: ['/outside'] } as any)).rejects.toBeInstanceOf(ForbiddenException);
+
+    expect(libraryRepo.update).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(libraryRepo.insertFolder).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(libraryRepo.deleteFolder).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
   it('update starts watcher when watch toggles on', async () => {
     libraryRepo.findById.mockResolvedValue([{ id: 7, name: 'Current', icon: 'BookOpen', watch: false }]);
     libraryRepo.update.mockResolvedValue([{ id: 7, name: 'Current', watch: true }]);
@@ -420,6 +448,19 @@ describe('LibraryService', () => {
     expect(result.paths[1]).toEqual(expect.objectContaining({ overlapLibrary: 'Existing Library' }));
   });
 
+  it('prescan reports paths outside the configured browse root without touching the filesystem', async () => {
+    libraryRepo.findAllFolderPaths.mockResolvedValue([]);
+    pathPolicy.resolveBrowsePath.mockRejectedValue(new ForbiddenException('outside root'));
+
+    const result = await service.prescan({ paths: ['/outside'] } as any);
+
+    expect(result).toEqual({
+      paths: [{ path: '/outside', accessible: false, fileCount: 0, error: 'Path is outside the configured library browse root' }],
+      totalFiles: 0,
+    });
+    expect(mockStat).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
   it('prescan reports non-directory paths with explicit error', async () => {
     libraryRepo.findAllFolderPaths.mockResolvedValue([]);
     mockStat.mockResolvedValue({ isDirectory: () => false } as Awaited<ReturnType<typeof stat>>);
diff --git a/server/src/modules/library/library.service.ts b/server/src/modules/library/library.service.ts
index 1298931c7..9f2fee09f 100644
--- a/server/src/modules/library/library.service.ts
+++ b/server/src/modules/library/library.service.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import { normalizeIconValue } from '../../common/utils/icon-value.utils';
 import type { RequestUser } from '../../common/types/request-user';
 import { AchievementEventsService, ACHIEVEMENT_EVENT_LIBRARY_CATALOG_CHANGED } from '../achievement/achievement-events.service';
 import { FileWriteService } from '../file-write/file-write.service';
+import { PathPolicyService } from '../path/path-policy.service';
 import { isPrimaryFormat } from '../scanner/lib/classify';
 import { FileWatcherService } from '../scanner/file-watcher.service';
 import { ScannerService } from '../scanner/scanner.service';
@@ -54,6 +55,7 @@ export class LibraryService {
     private readonly fileWatcherService: FileWatcherService,
     private readonly fileWriteService: FileWriteService,
     private readonly achievementEvents: AchievementEventsService,
+    private readonly pathPolicy: PathPolicyService,
   ) {
     this.appDataPath = this.config.get<string>('storage.appDataPath')!;
   }
@@ -102,6 +104,7 @@ export class LibraryService {
 
   async create(dto: CreateLibraryDto) {
     await this.assertNameAvailable(dto.name);
+    const folderPaths = await this.assertFolderPathsWithinBrowseRoot(dto.folders);
     const icon = normalizeIconValue(dto.icon);
     if (!icon) {
       throw new BadRequestException('Icon is required');
@@ -135,7 +138,7 @@ export class LibraryService {
       fileRenameEnabled: dto.fileRenameEnabled ?? false,
     });
 
-    const folders = await Promise.all(dto.folders.map((path) => this.libraryRepo.insertFolder({ libraryId: library.id, path })));
+    const folders = await Promise.all(folderPaths.map((path) => this.libraryRepo.insertFolder({ libraryId: library.id, path })));
 
     if (library.watch) {
       await this.fileWatcherService.startWatcher(
@@ -164,7 +167,8 @@ export class LibraryService {
       await this.assertNameAvailable(dto.name, id);
     }
 
-    const { folders: folderPaths, ...fields } = dto;
+    const { folders: rawFolderPaths, ...fields } = dto;
+    const folderPaths = rawFolderPaths === undefined ? undefined : await this.assertFolderPathsWithinBrowseRoot(rawFolderPaths);
     const icon = fields.icon !== undefined ? normalizeIconValue(fields.icon) : normalizeIconValue(existing.icon);
     if (!icon) {
       throw new BadRequestException('Icon is required');
@@ -235,9 +239,19 @@ export class LibraryService {
         let error: string | undefined;
         let overlapLibrary: string | undefined;
 
+        const resolvedInputPath = await this.pathPolicy.resolveBrowsePath(inputPath).catch(() => null);
+        if (resolvedInputPath === null) {
+          return {
+            path: inputPath,
+            accessible: false,
+            fileCount: 0,
+            error: 'Path is outside the configured library browse root',
+          };
+        }
+
         let inputStat: Awaited<ReturnType<typeof stat>> | null = null;
         try {
-          inputStat = await stat(inputPath);
+          inputStat = await stat(resolvedInputPath);
         } catch (err) {
           error = formatPrescanError(err);
         }
@@ -245,11 +259,11 @@ export class LibraryService {
         if (inputStat === null) {
           accessible = false;
         } else if (!inputStat.isDirectory()) {
-          return { path: inputPath, accessible: false, fileCount: 0, error: 'Not a directory' };
+          return { path: resolvedInputPath, accessible: false, fileCount: 0, error: 'Not a directory' };
         } else {
           accessible = true;
           try {
-            fileCount = await countPrimaryFiles(inputPath);
+            fileCount = await countPrimaryFiles(resolvedInputPath);
           } catch (err) {
             accessible = false;
             fileCount = 0;
@@ -258,13 +272,13 @@ export class LibraryService {
         }
 
         for (const existing of allFolderPaths) {
-          if (pathsOverlap(inputPath, existing.path)) {
+          if (pathsOverlap(resolvedInputPath, existing.path)) {
             overlapLibrary = existing.libraryName;
             break;
           }
         }
 
-        return { path: inputPath, accessible, fileCount, overlapLibrary, error };
+        return { path: resolvedInputPath, accessible, fileCount, overlapLibrary, error };
       }),
     );
 
@@ -361,6 +375,10 @@ export class LibraryService {
     if (existing.length > 0) throw new ConflictException('A library with this name already exists');
   }
 
+  private async assertFolderPathsWithinBrowseRoot(paths: string[]): Promise<string[]> {
+    return Promise.all(paths.map((path) => this.pathPolicy.assertWithinBrowseRoot(path)));
+  }
+
   private async cleanupCoverDirectories(bookIds: number[]): Promise<void> {
     const event = 'library.remove_cover_dirs';
     const startedAt = Date.now();
diff --git a/server/src/modules/path/path-policy.service.test.ts b/server/src/modules/path/path-policy.service.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c70148d6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/src/modules/path/path-policy.service.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+import { ForbiddenException } from '@nestjs/common';
+import { mkdtemp, mkdir, rm, symlink } from 'fs/promises';
+import { tmpdir } from 'os';
+import { join, resolve } from 'path';
+
+import { PathPolicyService } from './path-policy.service';
+
+describe('PathPolicyService', () => {
+  const tempRoots: string[] = [];
+
+  afterEach(async () => {
+    await Promise.all(tempRoots.splice(0).map((path) => rm(path, { recursive: true, force: true })));
+  });
+
+  it('uses the configured browse root when no path is provided', async () => {
+    const root = await makeTempRoot();
+    const service = makeService(root);
+
+    await expect(service.resolveBrowsePath()).resolves.toBe(root);
+    expect(service.getBrowseRoot()).toBe(root);
+  });
+
+  it('allows paths equal to or below the configured browse root', async () => {
+    const root = await makeTempRoot();
+    const child = join(root, 'authors');
+    await mkdir(child);
+    const service = makeService(root);
+
+    await expect(service.assertWithinBrowseRoot(root)).resolves.toBe(root);
+    await expect(service.assertWithinBrowseRoot(child)).resolves.toBe(child);
+    await expect(service.isWithinBrowseRoot(child)).resolves.toBe(true);
+  });
+
+  it('rejects sibling paths with the same prefix as the configured browse root', async () => {
+    const parent = await makeTempRoot();
+    const root = join(parent, 'books');
+    const sibling = join(parent, 'bookshelf');
+    await mkdir(root);
+    await mkdir(sibling);
+    const service = makeService(root);
+
+    await expect(service.assertWithinBrowseRoot(sibling)).rejects.toBeInstanceOf(ForbiddenException);
+    await expect(service.isWithinBrowseRoot(sibling)).resolves.toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('rejects paths that escape through a symlinked existing ancestor', async () => {
+    const parent = await makeTempRoot();
+    const root = join(parent, 'books');
+    const outside = join(parent, 'outside');
+    await mkdir(root);
+    await mkdir(outside);
+    await symlink(outside, join(root, 'escape'));
+    const service = makeService(root);
+
+    await expect(service.assertWithinBrowseRoot(join(root, 'escape', 'new-library'))).rejects.toBeInstanceOf(ForbiddenException);
+  });
+
+  async function makeTempRoot(): Promise<string> {
+    const path = await mkdtemp(join(tmpdir(), 'bookorbit-path-policy-'));
+    tempRoots.push(path);
+    return resolve(path);
+  }
+
+  function makeService(root: string): PathPolicyService {
+    return new PathPolicyService({ libraryBrowseRoot: root } as never);
+  }
+});
diff --git a/server/src/modules/path/path-policy.service.ts b/server/src/modules/path/path-policy.service.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..71459e199
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/src/modules/path/path-policy.service.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+import type { ConfigType } from '@nestjs/config';
+import { Inject, Injectable, ForbiddenException } from '@nestjs/common';
+import { realpath } from 'fs/promises';
+import { basename, dirname, isAbsolute, join, relative, resolve } from 'path';
+
+import { storageConfig } from '../../config/config';
+
+@Injectable()
+export class PathPolicyService {
+  private readonly browseRoot: string;
+  private canonicalBrowseRootPromise: Promise<string> | null = null;
+
+  constructor(@Inject(storageConfig.KEY) storage: ConfigType<typeof storageConfig>) {
+    this.browseRoot = resolve(storage.libraryBrowseRoot);
+  }
+
+  getBrowseRoot(): string {
+    return this.browseRoot;
+  }
+
+  async resolveBrowsePath(rawPath?: string | null): Promise<string> {
+    const path = resolve(rawPath?.trim() || this.browseRoot);
+    await this.assertWithinBrowseRoot(path);
+    return path;
+  }
+
+  async assertWithinBrowseRoot(rawPath: string): Promise<string> {
+    const path = resolve(rawPath);
+    if (!(await this.isWithinBrowseRoot(path))) {
+      throw new ForbiddenException('Path is outside the configured library browse root');
+    }
+    return path;
+  }
+
+  async isWithinBrowseRoot(rawPath: string): Promise<boolean> {
+    const [root, path] = await Promise.all([this.getCanonicalBrowseRoot(), canonicalizeWithExistingAncestor(resolve(rawPath))]);
+    return isSameOrChildPath(root, path);
+  }
+
+  private getCanonicalBrowseRoot(): Promise<string> {
+    this.canonicalBrowseRootPromise ??= canonicalizeWithExistingAncestor(this.browseRoot);
+    return this.canonicalBrowseRootPromise;
+  }
+}
+
+async function canonicalizeWithExistingAncestor(resolvedPath: string): Promise<string> {
+  const suffixSegments: string[] = [];
+  let current = resolvedPath;
+
+  while (true) {
+    try {
+      const canonical = await realpath(current); // codeql[js/path-injection]
+      return suffixSegments.reduceRight((built, segment) => join(built, segment), canonical);
+    } catch (error) {
+      const code = getErrorCode(error);
+      if (code !== 'ENOENT' && code !== 'ENOTDIR') {
+        return resolvedPath;
+      }
+    }
+
+    const parent = dirname(current);
+    if (parent === current) return resolvedPath;
+
+    suffixSegments.push(basename(current));
+    current = parent;
+  }
+}
+
+function isSameOrChildPath(root: string, path: string): boolean {
+  const rel = relative(root, path);
+  return rel === '' || (!rel.startsWith('..') && !isAbsolute(rel));
+}
+
+function getErrorCode(error: unknown): string | undefined {
+  if (typeof error !== 'object' || error === null || !('code' in error)) return undefined;
+  const code = (error as { code?: unknown }).code;
+  return typeof code === 'string' ? code : undefined;
+}
diff --git a/server/src/modules/path/path.controller.test.ts b/server/src/modules/path/path.controller.test.ts
index 6d85562b3..6a861b856 100644
--- a/server/src/modules/path/path.controller.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/modules/path/path.controller.test.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { PathController } from './path.controller';
 
 describe('PathController', () => {
   const pathService = {
+    getConfig: vi.fn(),
     listDirectories: vi.fn(),
     createDirectory: vi.fn(),
   };
@@ -12,10 +13,16 @@ describe('PathController', () => {
     vi.resetAllMocks();
   });
 
-  it('defaults to root path when query path is missing', async () => {
+  it('returns path config from the service', () => {
+    pathService.getConfig.mockReturnValue({ root: '/books' });
+
+    expect(controller.getConfig()).toEqual({ root: '/books' });
+  });
+
+  it('lets the service apply the default path when query path is missing', async () => {
     await controller.listDirectories(undefined as never);
 
-    expect(pathService.listDirectories).toHaveBeenCalledWith('/');
+    expect(pathService.listDirectories).toHaveBeenCalledWith(undefined);
   });
 
   it('passes provided query path through to the service', async () => {
diff --git a/server/src/modules/path/path.controller.ts b/server/src/modules/path/path.controller.ts
index 88b25d417..4a6fc3339 100644
--- a/server/src/modules/path/path.controller.ts
+++ b/server/src/modules/path/path.controller.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import type { PathConfig } from '@bookorbit/types';
 import { Permission } from '@bookorbit/types';
 import { Body, Controller, Get, Post, Query } from '@nestjs/common';
 
@@ -9,10 +10,16 @@ import { PathService } from './path.service';
 export class PathController {
   constructor(private readonly pathService: PathService) {}
 
+  @Get('config')
+  @RequirePermission(Permission.ManageLibraries)
+  getConfig(): PathConfig {
+    return this.pathService.getConfig();
+  }
+
   @Get()
   @RequirePermission(Permission.ManageLibraries)
-  listDirectories(@Query('path') path: string) {
-    return this.pathService.listDirectories(path || '/');
+  listDirectories(@Query('path') path?: string) {
+    return this.pathService.listDirectories(path);
   }
 
   @Post()
diff --git a/server/src/modules/path/path.module.test.ts b/server/src/modules/path/path.module.test.ts
index 6998b8c1c..fbb82f444 100644
--- a/server/src/modules/path/path.module.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/modules/path/path.module.test.ts
@@ -2,11 +2,13 @@ import 'reflect-metadata';
 
 import { PathController } from './path.controller';
 import { PathModule } from './path.module';
+import { PathPolicyService } from './path-policy.service';
 import { PathService } from './path.service';
 
 describe('PathModule', () => {
   it('registers path controller and service', () => {
     expect(Reflect.getMetadata('controllers', PathModule)).toEqual([PathController]);
-    expect(Reflect.getMetadata('providers', PathModule)).toEqual([PathService]);
+    expect(Reflect.getMetadata('providers', PathModule)).toEqual([PathPolicyService, PathService]);
+    expect(Reflect.getMetadata('exports', PathModule)).toEqual([PathPolicyService]);
   });
 });
diff --git a/server/src/modules/path/path.module.ts b/server/src/modules/path/path.module.ts
index f260a8114..d667e7cff 100644
--- a/server/src/modules/path/path.module.ts
+++ b/server/src/modules/path/path.module.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 import { Module } from '@nestjs/common';
 
 import { PathController } from './path.controller';
+import { PathPolicyService } from './path-policy.service';
 import { PathService } from './path.service';
 
 @Module({
   controllers: [PathController],
-  providers: [PathService],
+  providers: [PathPolicyService, PathService],
+  exports: [PathPolicyService],
 })
 export class PathModule {}
diff --git a/server/src/modules/path/path.service.test.ts b/server/src/modules/path/path.service.test.ts
index ef483e003..cc7c0af9a 100644
--- a/server/src/modules/path/path.service.test.ts
+++ b/server/src/modules/path/path.service.test.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ vi.mock('fs/promises', () => ({
   readdir: vi.fn(),
   lstat: vi.fn(),
   mkdir: vi.fn(),
+  realpath: vi.fn(),
 }));
 
 import { BadRequestException, ConflictException, ForbiddenException } from '@nestjs/common';
@@ -26,10 +27,23 @@ function entry(name: string, options: { directory?: boolean; symbolicLink?: bool
 }
 
 describe('PathService', () => {
-  const service = new PathService();
+  const pathPolicy = {
+    getBrowseRoot: vi.fn(() => '/books'),
+    resolveBrowsePath: vi.fn((path?: string) => Promise.resolve(path || '/books')),
+    assertWithinBrowseRoot: vi.fn((path: string) => Promise.resolve(path)),
+  };
+  let service: PathService;
 
   beforeEach(() => {
     vi.resetAllMocks();
+    pathPolicy.getBrowseRoot.mockReturnValue('/books');
+    pathPolicy.resolveBrowsePath.mockImplementation((path?: string) => Promise.resolve(path || '/books'));
+    pathPolicy.assertWithinBrowseRoot.mockImplementation((path: string) => Promise.resolve(path));
+    service = new PathService(pathPolicy as never);
+  });
+
+  it('returns the configured browse root in config', () => {
+    expect(service.getConfig()).toEqual({ root: '/books' });
   });
 
   it('returns empty for blocked system paths', async () => {
@@ -39,6 +53,16 @@ describe('PathService', () => {
     expect(readdirMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
+  it('uses the configured browse root when listing without a path', async () => {
+    lstatMock.mockResolvedValue({ isSymbolicLink: () => false, isDirectory: () => true } as never);
+    readdirMock.mockResolvedValue([] as never);
+
+    await expect(service.listDirectories()).resolves.toEqual([]);
+
+    expect(pathPolicy.resolveBrowsePath).toHaveBeenCalledWith(undefined);
+    expect(lstatMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith('/books');
+  });
+
   it('rejects symlinked root paths', async () => {
     lstatMock.mockResolvedValue({ isSymbolicLink: () => true, isDirectory: () => false } as never);
 
@@ -129,6 +153,14 @@ describe('PathService', () => {
       expect(mkdirMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
 
+    it('rejects parent paths outside the configured browse root', async () => {
+      pathPolicy.resolveBrowsePath.mockRejectedValue(new ForbiddenException('outside root'));
+
+      await expect(service.createDirectory('/tmp/books', 'scifi')).rejects.toBeInstanceOf(ForbiddenException);
+      expect(lstatMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+      expect(mkdirMock).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+
     it('rejects a symlinked parent', async () => {
       lstatMock.mockResolvedValue({ isSymbolicLink: () => true, isDirectory: () => false } as never);
 
diff --git a/server/src/modules/path/path.service.ts b/server/src/modules/path/path.service.ts
index f9ea7d824..0e619b702 100644
--- a/server/src/modules/path/path.service.ts
+++ b/server/src/modules/path/path.service.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import type { CreateFolderResult, DirectoryEntry } from '@bookorbit/types';
+import type { CreateFolderResult, DirectoryEntry, PathConfig } from '@bookorbit/types';
 import {
   BadRequestException,
   ConflictException,
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import { lstat, mkdir, readdir } from 'fs/promises';
 import { join, resolve, sep } from 'path';
 
 import { sanitizeLogValue } from '../../common/utils/log-sanitize.utils';
+import { PathPolicyService } from './path-policy.service';
 
 const BLOCKED = ['/proc', '/sys', '/dev', '/run', '/var/run', '/etc', '/root'];
 
@@ -19,8 +20,14 @@ const BLOCKED = ['/proc', '/sys', '/dev', '/run', '/var/run', '/etc', '/root'];
 export class PathService {
   private readonly logger = new Logger(PathService.name);
 
-  async listDirectories(rawPath: string): Promise<DirectoryEntry[]> {
-    const resolved = resolve(rawPath || '/');
+  constructor(private readonly pathPolicy: PathPolicyService) {}
+
+  getConfig(): PathConfig {
+    return { root: this.pathPolicy.getBrowseRoot() };
+  }
+
+  async listDirectories(rawPath?: string): Promise<DirectoryEntry[]> {
+    const resolved = await this.pathPolicy.resolveBrowsePath(rawPath);
     if (this.isBlocked(resolved)) {
       return [];
     }
@@ -49,7 +56,7 @@ export class PathService {
 
   async createDirectory(rawParent: string, rawName: string): Promise<CreateFolderResult> {
     const name = this.assertSafeName(rawName);
-    const parent = resolve(rawParent || '/');
+    const parent = await this.pathPolicy.resolveBrowsePath(rawParent);
     if (this.isBlocked(parent)) {
       throw new ForbiddenException('Cannot create a folder in this location');
     }
@@ -63,9 +70,11 @@ export class PathService {
 
       const target = join(parent, name);
       const prefix = parent.endsWith(sep) ? parent : parent + sep;
-      if (!resolve(target).startsWith(prefix)) {
+      const resolvedTarget = resolve(target);
+      if (!resolvedTarget.startsWith(prefix)) {
         throw new BadRequestException('Invalid folder name');
       }
+      await this.pathPolicy.assertWithinBrowseRoot(resolvedTarget);
 
       await mkdir(target); // codeql[js/path-injection]
       this.logger.log(`[path.create_folder] [end] path="${sanitizeLogValue(target)}" durationMs=${Date.now() - startedAt} - create folder completed`);
diff --git a/server/test/e2e/authorization-matrix/route-inventory/manifest.json b/server/test/e2e/authorization-matrix/route-inventory/manifest.json
index d8853084c..9bafd0e7d 100644
--- a/server/test/e2e/authorization-matrix/route-inventory/manifest.json
+++ b/server/test/e2e/authorization-matrix/route-inventory/manifest.json
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 {
-  "totalRoutes": 353,
+  "totalRoutes": 354,
   "byPermission": {
     "(none)": 161,
     "Permission.ManageMetadataConfig": 32,
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
     "Permission.LibraryEditMetadata": 31,
     "Permission.BookDockAccess": 17,
     "Permission.ManageAppSettings": 23,
-    "Permission.ManageLibraries": 13,
+    "Permission.ManageLibraries": 14,
     "Permission.ManageUsers": 10,
     "Permission.ManageEmail": 8,
     "Permission.KoboSync": 7,
diff --git a/server/test/e2e/authorization-matrix/route-inventory/routes-05.json b/server/test/e2e/authorization-matrix/route-inventory/routes-05.json
index 939e4a6b8..99bd4d095 100644
--- a/server/test/e2e/authorization-matrix/route-inventory/routes-05.json
+++ b/server/test/e2e/authorization-matrix/route-inventory/routes-05.json
@@ -407,6 +407,18 @@
     "allowDefault": false,
     "useGuards": ["OpdsEnabledGuard, OpdsAuthGuard"]
   },
+  {
+    "file": "server/src/modules/path/path.controller.ts",
+    "className": "PathController",
+    "methodName": "getConfig",
+    "httpMethod": "GET",
+    "path": "/path/config",
+    "permissions": ["Permission.ManageLibraries"],
+    "libraryAccess": [],
+    "isPublic": false,
+    "allowDefault": false,
+    "useGuards": []
+  },
   {
     "file": "server/src/modules/path/path.controller.ts",
     "className": "PathController",