SharePoint University

is it possible to have a document library in one site and display its contents in another site?

Sure, as long as the lists or document libraries are in the same site collection. Use the content query webpart and point to the desired list or library.

Follow these steps:

1. Move to the page where you want the list to be displayed
2. Site Actions -> Edit Page
3. Click 'Add a Web Part' in the area you want the list to be displayed
4. Scroll down to the Default section and choose Content Query Web Part
5. Click Add button at bottom of window
6. Note: A default output will be showing in the web part... ignore it
7. Menu dropdown: edit -> Modify Shared Web Part
8. Expand the Query tab in the tool box
9. Choose Show items from the following list radio button
10. Browse to your selected list
11. Click OK after selecting list
12. IMPORTANT: In the 'Show items from this list type', choose Document Library
13. Click the Apply button to verify results
14. Tweak as necessary

This is a common request, so I'll post a screencast of the process early next week. Those 14 steps take less than 30 seconds when you know what you are looking for.

Regards,
Mark
EndUserSharePoint.com

I was able to get a spare minute and post the videocast this morning. Your question was a nice kick in the butt to get that one finished. It's such a common request, it should be one of the first in every SharePoint FAQ. Thanks for the incentive.

Here you go: Display a Document Library List in Multiple Sites

Regards,
Mark
EndUserSharePoint.com

Mark,

 How about using list data on another site?  I ask, because I'd like to use contact data from one site in a site collection such as the company name, with another list in a different site in the same site collection.  I realize that this is a relational approach, and should be addressed by site columns, but where using a site column within a site just makes a copy of the contents at a point in time, that doesn't cut it.

SPSteve:

using a site column within a site just makes a copy of the contents at a point in time, that doesn't cut it.

Steve - Not sure I agree with that statement. The whole point of creating a site column at the site collection level is so that it can be exposed to the entire site collection, not just a subsite and down. There are not "copies" anywhere.

Create a lookup table at the site collection level and use that table to create the site (collection) column. That way, any changes to the lookup list are propogated down to any library/list using that site column.

Mark
EndUserSharePoint.com

So are you saying that on the list within the site collections site, create a lookup to the site column?

 What happens when a user adds a new contact on the Contact's list?

Steve - Where is the Contact list located? If it is at the top of the site collection, is there anything stopping you from using it as the lookup to a site column?

Mark
EndUserSharePoint.com

The contacts list is located in a subsite (not the top).  I see what you're saying, in that the site column can be made to be a lookup to a list item in the top site.  Not sure how I could make that work as what I'm trying to make relational is the company name (multiple contacts, few companies).  I suppose I could have a second list with just the company name, and allow additions.