Merging iTunes libraries/accounts

My kids used to have a a Windows PC but it died. I bought a new iMac for myself and I am passing down my G4 iMac to the kids. On the windows PC, they each had their own log in, so they each had to have a separate iTunes library. Additionally, they each have their own iTunes account. I have managed to get all of the info from the PC transferred to the iMac. It is all in a separate folder waiting for me to intergrate it into the different programs on the iMac.
Here are my questions.
a) I would like to merge all of the iTunes libraries into one. Is it possible for use to have four iTunes Store accounts that feed into one iTunes library?
b)If we can merge the accounts into one library, would we be able to listen to and to share all of the music in the libray or would we need to sign in and out of the indiviual accounts?
c) I shudder think of how much money we have wasted by buying the same version of the same songs at the iTunes Store. If we merge all of the libraries, what happens to the dozens of duplicate songs that were purchased by more than one of the accounts?
d) If we do not merge the libraries, how difficult is it to switch between libraries in iTunes?
Thanks!
iMac G4   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  
  Mac OS X (10.4.8)  

Thanks!
My Mac Pro just arrived yesterday. Fortunately, I had kept my Library on an exernal FW drive; everything transferred very quickly to the new Mac while I snoozed last night. This morning, I decided to listen to some tunes but couldn't for the life of me figure out how to get my Library recognized by iTunes. I thought I'd have to spend the entire morning searching the forum for the answer, which I should already know because I had to do it last year when I moved everything to the external drive.
Again, many many thanks!

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