IPhoto can't find iPhoto Library files

Hi All,
I have a older iMac running 10.4, 512MB RAM.  It was running very slowly and reading other posts figured my large iPhoto library (iPhoto 6) was the culprit.  I moved all but 2011 pictures to an external hard drive and deleted files from my iPhoto Library (did this through the Finder, not iPhoto).  I can see my .jpg files on the external drive and can see the 2011 .jpg files on my HD in the iPhoto Library.  When I launch iPhoto, I have no photos.  Within iPhoto I've tried to "import to library" and select my 2011 folder of .jpg's but the file is "unreadable".  I've tried changing the location of my iPhoto Library folder and "chose library" but that hasn't worked either.
I think I may have deleted some file or path that allows iphoto to access the iphoto library folder (I copied back a "data folder" from the external HD but that didn't solve my problem) but I can't figure out what it could be.  Can anyone help?  I am just barely literate and apparently, know just enough to get myself into trouble, so "dumbed down" instructions would be very much appreciated.
Thanks for any help you can lend!
Shannon

believe it or not, but I did do some research before I started...  I was just trying to back up files and create space - don't you people advocate for that kind of thing?
I don't think that I did not follow your link... I did not move the entire contents of my original library, just most, I wanted... well it doesn't matter - I was able to solve the problem following a tip posted by "Old Toad" found below.
Thanks for trying to help - I'm just glad I can see my photos again.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.

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