Flash Basics > Using the library > Working with common libraries

You can use the built-in libraries included with Flash to add symbols, buttons, or sounds to your movies. You can also create permanent libraries for your Flash application, which you can then use with any movies that you create. (The library you create when authoring a Flash movie is available only with that movie, unless you make the library a permanent library or choose File > Open As Library.)

Both of these types of libraries are listed in the Window > Common Libraries submenu.

To create a permanent library for your Flash application:

1	Create a Flash file with a library containing the symbols that you want to include in the permanent library.
2	Place the Flash file in the Libraries folder located in the Flash application folder on your hard drive.

To use an item from a common library in a movie:

1	Choose Window > Common Libraries, and select a library from the submenu.
2	Drag an item from the common library into the library for the current movie.