How do I transfer my entire library to an external HD and maintain links?

I recently purchased an external hard drive so I could free up the memory on my iMac. I have downloaded most of my 11000 pictures to the external device, but iPhoto only uploads those pictures saved on the computer. How could I establish a link so that iPhoto reads the library directly from the external Hard Drive?
Thanks in advance for any insight.
A
iMac G5 1.25Ghz   Mac OS X (10.3.9)  

iPhoto Help topic, "switching between photo libraries"
... assuming that by "I have downloaded most of my 11000 pictures to the external device", you meant that you copied your iPhoto Library folder to the external drive. If it means something different, then you don't have an iPhoto library on your external drive, and there can be no "links". Maybe you need to first see the iPhoto Help topic, "moving your photo library". Also, make sure your external drive is formatted as "Mac OS Extended" before you transfer your iPhoto library.

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