---
title: Build a members-only library
sidebarTitle: Members-only library
description: >-
  Keep a set of recordings, practices and resources that only your paying
  subscribers can see and open.
audience: luminary
feature: content-library
type: guide
availability: live
last_verified: '2026-10-14'
keywords:
  - members-only content
  - subscriber library
  - vault
  - exclusive content
  - membership library
  - gated content
url: >-
  https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/offerings/content-library/build-a-members-only-library
---

# Build a members-only library

> Keep a set of recordings, practices and resources that only your paying subscribers can see and open.

## When to use this

- Your membership promises a library: _"all past class recordings"_, _"the full practice vault"_.
- You don't want non-members to see these items at all.
- You'd rather sell some pieces separately? See [Free for members, paid for others](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/offerings/content-library/free-for-members-paid-for-others) instead.

## How it works

Private means _"Only subscribers can access"_. Private items and collections are listed on your portal only for your subscribers. Anyone else who opens the link sees _"Subscribers Only"_ and a button to subscribe.

**Step 1: Create a private collection**

Go to [Offerings → Content Library](https://portal.bringsoul.life/content-library) → Collections
and click Add Collection. Name it, for example *Member Vault*. Set Visibility to Private and
click Create & Continue.

**Step 2: Leave it unpriced**

On the pricing step, click Skip for Now. Subscribers already pay through your membership, so
they get straight in.

**Step 3: Add your content**

Open the collection and use Add → Content, Add → Folder or Add → Bulk Upload. Everything you add
is private too. Bulk uploads show *"Private (required for this collection)"*.

**Step 4: Turn on the section**

In [My Portal → Design](https://portal.bringsoul.life/portal), make sure the Collections section
is on. Optionally set the section to Subscribers Only under *"Who can see this section"*, so
visitors don't see an empty heading.

**Step 5: Check both views**

Use Preview As → Subscriber and Preview As → Visitor to confirm members see the library and
visitors don't.

## Make one standalone item members-only

On the Content tab, open the item's ⋯ menu and click Make Private. Or open the item and change Visibility to Private.

## Tips

- Already have public items? Open a collection and use More actions → Manage Visibility to switch everything inside to Private in one go.
- Tell new members where it is. Pin a welcome announcement to Highlights that points to the library. See [Feature content on your portal](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/offerings/content-library/feature-content-on-your-portal).
- Sell extras to members too. A private item can still have a price. Visitors are told to subscribe first and then buy the item separately. Subscribers just buy it.

**Warning:** 
Subscribers only get content free if it has no price, or a Subscriber Price of $0. If you put a
Regular Price on a private collection and no Subscriber Price, your members will be asked to pay.

## What your members see

- Subscribers see the collection in your portal's Collections section and open everything inside.
- Visitors don't see it listed. If they open a direct link to the collection, they see Subscription Required with Subscribe Now. A private item on its own shows _"Subscribers Only"_ with Subscribe Now.
- Private items have no Share button, so members can't pass them around.

## Related

- [Who can see what](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/portal/visibility)
- [Membership pricing](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/business/membership-pricing)
- [Community Materials](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/community/introduction), for files only your Community members can reach