Issue re transfering my iTunes library to an external hard disc.

I have moved my iTunes library to an external hard drive to save space on the iMac's own disc, using the instructions from the Apple support site - that is, I went to Preferences - Advanced - Change location and then consolidated my music.
I haven't yet deleted the music from the iMac hard drive.
If I launch iTunes without switching on the external drive, iTunes will locate the library on the internal drive, but if I power up the external drive first, it uses the library on that.
Is this normal? I just want to check before deleting many hundreds of albums from my Mac!

Thanks so much for your tip!!  I did that, but it says there's no files in the library.
Originaly in Itunes > preferences>advanced>under folder location I put in new path pointing to the Ex HD.  made a new folder for my son's library "Nick's Itunes Library". (Keep itunes media folder organized is checked).
Clicked on change.
Then i was prompted ot move the exisiting files over which I did.  Went to File>Library>Organize Library>consolidate files>OK
I did all that.  I closed itunes, went to the external HD to verify all the files were there.  They were.  Went back into itunes on the mac mini HD and deleted the files one at a time.  I realize that this whole thing is not a deal breaker as it is all in iCloud.  And can be downloaded again if necessary.  But I want to know how to do this manually. 
I just checked the external HD again. The files are there, Itunes isn't recognizing them is my guess.

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    Message was edited by: williamson42
    Message was edited by: williamson42

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