In accordance with an embodiment, a system and method is described for enabling federated content management using a federated library and federated metadata propagation. The system can include a plurality of content servers, each including a processor and configured to store content items at a respective content database. The system can also include a federated library configured to store content items received from the plurality of content servers, as federated content items accessible to each content server of the plurality of content servers, and a federated database configured to receive and store metadata associated with the federated content items. The system can also include a federative agent associated with each content server and configured to communicate the metadata between the plurality of content servers and the federated database. In an embodiment, the system can be provided as a reusable, pluggable component for use with existing content management systems.