diff --git a/internal/handlers/library.go b/internal/handlers/library.go
index 40d1520..0cfc895 100644
--- a/internal/handlers/library.go
+++ b/internal/handlers/library.go
@@ -250,6 +250,25 @@ func (h *LibraryHandler) DeleteLibraryFolder(c echo.Context) error {
 	return c.NoContent(http.StatusNoContent)
 }
 
+// BrowseDirectories returns directory listings for folder browser UI
+func (h *LibraryHandler) BrowseDirectories(c echo.Context) error {
+	path := c.QueryParam("path")
+	if path == "" {
+		path = "/" // Start from root
+	}
+
+	dirs, currentPath, parentPath, err := h.libraryService.BrowseDirectories(c.Request().Context(), path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, map[string]string{"error": err.Error()})
+	}
+
+	return c.JSON(http.StatusOK, map[string]interface{}{
+		"current_path": currentPath,
+		"parent_path":  parentPath,
+		"directories":  dirs,
+	})
+}
+
 // SetLibraryVisibility sets library visibility for a user
 func (h *LibraryHandler) SetLibraryVisibility(c echo.Context) error {
 	user := c.Get("user").(database.Users)
diff --git a/internal/router/library.go b/internal/router/library.go
index bf056de..f09dc4c 100644
--- a/internal/router/library.go
+++ b/internal/router/library.go
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ func registerLibraryRoutes(cfg *Config) {
 	adminLibrary := library.Group("", handlers.AdminMiddleware)
 	adminLibrary.POST("", cfg.LibraryHandler.CreateLibrary)
 	adminLibrary.GET("", cfg.LibraryHandler.ListLibraries)
+	adminLibrary.GET("/browse", cfg.LibraryHandler.BrowseDirectories)
 	adminLibrary.GET("/:id", cfg.LibraryHandler.GetLibrary)
 	adminLibrary.PUT("/:id", cfg.LibraryHandler.UpdateLibrary)
 	adminLibrary.DELETE("/:id", cfg.LibraryHandler.DeleteLibrary)
diff --git a/internal/services/library_service.go b/internal/services/library_service.go
index f526bc4..28e7d2a 100644
--- a/internal/services/library_service.go
+++ b/internal/services/library_service.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"bookhoard/internal/database"
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -207,3 +208,49 @@ func (s *LibraryService) HasFolders(ctx context.Context, libraryID pgtype.UUID)
 	}
 	return len(folders) > 0, nil
 }
+
+// BrowseDirectories lists directories at a given path for folder browser UI
+// Returns: (directories, currentPath, parentPath, error)
+func (s *LibraryService) BrowseDirectories(ctx context.Context, path string) ([]string, string, string, error) {
+	// Security: path traversal protection
+	if strings.Contains(path, "..") {
+		return nil, "", "", fmt.Errorf("path traversal not allowed")
+	}
+
+	cleanPath := filepath.Clean(path)
+
+	// Check if path exists and is accessible
+	fileInfo, err := os.Stat(cleanPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		if os.IsNotExist(err) {
+			return nil, "", "", fmt.Errorf("path does not exist")
+		}
+		return nil, "", "", fmt.Errorf("path not accessible: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if !fileInfo.IsDir() {
+		return nil, "", "", fmt.Errorf("not a directory")
+	}
+
+	// Read directory contents
+	entries, err := os.ReadDir(cleanPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", "", fmt.Errorf("failed to read directory: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Filter only directories
+	var dirs []string
+	for _, entry := range entries {
+		if entry.IsDir() {
+			dirs = append(dirs, entry.Name())
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Get parent path for navigation
+	parentPath := filepath.Dir(cleanPath)
+	if parentPath == cleanPath {
+		parentPath = "" // At root
+	}
+
+	return dirs, cleanPath, parentPath, nil
+}