A system and method for electronic file management includes an object-oriented file management database, a volume manager, and a coherency manager. The volume manager manages electronic files and metadata relating to the files of one or more volumes. Each volume may include folders, files, and/or other digital content. A user interface facilitates user interaction with the file management system. The user interface enables a user to view and manage, within the file management system, metadata associated with the electronic files by graphically displaying information about the files and the metadata and enabling the user to manipulate the files and the metadata.