Merge two iTunes libraries fails due to ADD TO LIBRARY...

I want to merge my laptop iTunes library back into my desktop itunes library (both machines are Macs running OS X 10.7.5 with iTunes 11.0.1).
However on the desktop, the iTunes "Add to Library..." command does nothing when I select the XML file on the laptop to which I exported my laptop library!
(The laptop drive is shared, and I access it over the network.)
Anyone know how to resolve this?

OK, finally had a chance to try this: just used a playlist (all I really need are the new songs, and I made a smart playlist based on date added to get these songs [copied those to a manual playlist that I then exported]).
Procedure:
exported playlist on laptop to XML file on laptop
copied songs in playlist within iTunes (view playlist, select all, right click and select copy)
then in Finder pasted the copied playlist songs to a new folder on laptop
on desktop did a Add to Library to add songs over network from playlist folder on laptop (from prior step)
on desktop did a Library->Import Playlist and imported playlist XML file from step 1 (over network)
(One observation: some of the songs were purchased from iTunes: at first I didn't realize why all the songs didn't get imported into desktop library in step 4; then I realized they were already there on the desktop because they were purchased and the desktop and laptop have the same iTunes account ... so a purchase on laptop automagically appears in the desktop library!)
RESULT:
Sure, the playlist got created OK, but key metadata seems to have NOT been copied over, e.g. all my star ratings except for two songs were not copied over.
Example: one song had a 4 star rating and sure enough an XML entry "<key>Rating</key><integer>80</integer>"
...but it came out in the desktop library with NO start rating.
Time for some manual updates ... and a better procedure!

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