Multiple Libraries Created

Upon installing Photos for Mac, and following the standard practice for using photos, I now have two Photos library files in my pictures folder.
1) Photos Library
2) Photos Library 2 (this is the library that Photos is using)
and also
3) iPhoto Library (this is normal though)
a) Is it safe to delete #1 above?
b) Because I have like 15,000 photos and 800 videos, my library size is around 130GB. This has now been tripled!!! There has got to be a better way.

Tim I’ve seen several posts like yours and the multiple Photo libraries shouldn’t be happening. With numerous computers and lots of testing I’ve not seen this happen even once. (I’ve seen other problems but not this one.) Thankfully Apple doesn’t just blithely delete the iPhoto/Aperature library so your original photos are safe. Photos can only use one library - the questions are (1) which is it using and (2) in whatever bug that results in the multiple libraries does it manage to import all your photos in both libraries.
Question 1 can be answered by starting Photos while holding the Option key which will let you select the library you want to use. If you select all your photos and look under the Image menu you can see how many have been selected but I’m not sure if this counts every “burst” as one picture or if it counts every photo in the burst. We’ve seen some inconsistency between photo counts in Photos on the computer and iOS so I’m not sure I’d totally trust the count. If it were me I’d throw away both Photos libraries and import again.

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Multiple libraries, multiple instances, multiple preference sets

Hi everyone!
I know how to create multiple libraries, but does anyone know if it is possble to access through ONE instance of iTunes the multiple libraries created? If not, is it possible to run multiple instables of iTunes?
In any case, if it possible to have different preference sets for each library?
The reason I'm asking is that I find it really great to have multiple libraries so that one can have media on different drives/locations and better manage one's media. However, it's a real pain in the *** to have to quit iTunes, hold the Option key while starting iTunes, choose a library, and play whatever one wants to play.
Syncing with an iPod, too, is a pain, because I have to manually manage the iPod.
So until, iTunes does all this by itself, does anyone know of a solution?
Thanks.
PowerBook G4 17" Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Good thoughts, and maybe we'll get there someday. Already, Apple has made a complex business (managing a media library) impressively easy through iTunes, and it's steadily improved iTunes, too. Of course, the success that Apple has had in software ergonomics always leaves it in the position of having consumers say, "Well, if you can give us this, then why can't you give us that?"
At the same time, many--probably a large majority--of iTunes users do not discern the difference between the iTunes Library and the collection of music files the Library refers to. I'm sure Apple is concerned about confusing such users by adding the kind of complexity and power to iTunes that some of us could take advantage of. It's a tough balancing act.
(BTW, I think Apple should have chosen its iTunes terminology a little differently in order to help users more easily understand iTunes organization. Maybe the iTunes folder could have been called the iTunes Library folder, the iTunes Music Library file the iTunes Music Catalog, and the iTunes Music folder the iTunes Music Holdings folder, or something along those lines that makes for a closer analogy with a regular, physical library.)
I still think Apple could give you the feature you seem to be looking for by creating a new kind of preset...maybe call it Collections, or something like that... that would allow you to store different sets of preferences affecting Importing of new tunes--location, file format, etc. Then you could do what you want within one library.
Who knows? ...Hope you get what you want sometime soon!
iMac G4 17; iBook G4 1.33 Mhz 14; iPod 3G 20GB Mac OS X (10.3.9)

How can I create multiple libraries on a windows 8 HP computer?

I just got the newest generation Ipod Touch, and the itunes is not supported on my iMac G5. My parents have a Windows 8 HP computer. My dad's itunes account is on that computer. So what I want to do is use my external hardrive to sync it to my Windows 8 computer. I am trying to find out how to create multiple libraries.
Please help me out.

These all have drm so i cannot read them without a i-Device.
Correct. If you do not have an iOS device or a Mac running Mavericks, do not buy Apple iBooks. They will be unreadable.

Creating multiple libraries and using an external drive for data

I'm a recent switcher and new to iphoto. On the windows platform, I used adobe album. I have a around 10k of images that I put on an external drive which is attached to my new imac. I deleted the iphoto folder and redirected it to my images on my external. All is working great. I'm looking for some advise on work flow of file/iphoto management. i.e. I'm assuming the more images I accumulate, the slower I photo is going to run? I hear you can create multiple iphoto libraries. Will that only load the photos that are associated with the library and I'm assuming optimize iphoto's performance versus always loading every photo you have taken every time you work in iphoto? If adding libraries is the way to go, can someone direct me to instruction on how to do this?
This may be beyond this threads scope but I plan to put all my data (iphoto, imovies, itunes) onto an external drive in order to keep the imac main drive as clean a possible. Is my thinking correct in doing so. Any negative repercussion in doing so?

Joe:
I'm assuming the more images I accumulate, the slower I photo is going to run?
You'll have to get quite a lot of photos into iPhoto before you start to see a real slowdown in performance. Users have reported libraries of 40K files and they perform just fine. However, do not keep all of rolls open as that will really do a job on the performance. Just open the rolls you need and close them all before quitting.
Yes, you can use multiple libraries and only load what's in each. I use iPhoto Library Manager to manage and move quickly between 10 libraries. With the paid version of iPLM you can move albums and/or rolls between libraries as needed and keep the keywords, ratings, and comments intact.
Using an external HD in order to maintain sufficient free space (10G minimum is what I recommend) on the boot drive to help optimize performance is a very good idea.
As far as any negative aspects, it would be a good idea to have a second external HD as a backup to the working external HD. You can't be too careful with those image files (and other important files) that can't be replaced.
Do you Twango?
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.
I've written an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

Creating - using multiple libraries

Using iPhoto 8
Can you point me to a tech note or other paper on the subject?

What do you want to know? How to create another Library?
Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Create Library'
How to choose a library to open?
Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library'
You can only have one Library open at a time.
Managing Multiple Libraries - including moving pics/albums/rolls and metadata between them - is greatly facilitated by using iPhoto Library Manager
Regards
TD

Multiple Libraries on one computer

I want to store more music in iTunes than my iPod has room for (original iPod). I want to use one library for music that I don't want on my iPod and the other for the music I want to sync. I also want to be able to move music back and forth between the them.
How do I store music in multiple libraries on one computer without making separate computer user accounts or using the playlist work around?
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, apple-rules

Yes, I am referring to the auto syncing of playlists. Not all of my music is assigned to playlists and I don't want to create them - too many songs.
As I mentioned in my original post:
I want to store more music in iTunes than my iPod has room for (original iPod). I want to use one library for music that I don't want on my iPod and the other for the music I want to sync. I also want to be able to move music back and forth between the them.
I want to be able to store music in iTunes and play that music in iTunes without having them downloaded to my iPod. It would be nice to have a Library in iTunes that can be separate from the iPod stuff.
I think I found a work around (#12). Until I get a better solution I am going to create a master folder to which I will move all my music that I do not want syncing to my iPod. Then, I will do a manual sync and exclude that folder.
Thanks everyone.

How do I go from using a single Apple ID with multiple libraries to using home sharing?

Until now my wife and I have opted to share our iTunes/Apple ID and use multiple libraries to manage our iPhones. This has become increasingly difficult...with issues such as having apps I've downloaded that she doesn't want automatically downloading to her library and even her phone. Now, add in the fact that I want to continue to manage my iTunes library from our PC and allow her to manage hers from her new MacBook Pro and we have good reason to move to home sharing with separate Apple IDs for each of us.
My question is the logistics of doing so. Not only do we need to replicate her existing library on a new Apple ID, but then we need to migrate all the necessary files over to her MacBook Pro. Quite honestly, I don't even know where to begin. Is it possible to associate her existing library with her new Apple ID without having to create her library from scratch? Then is there anyway to migrate only the items in her library over to her MacBook Pro as opposed having to move all of our music & apps? Where do I begin?
Thanks!

Okay...I misunderstood and thought we needed separate ID's...but I see we actually need to use the same ID which simplifies things in my mind a bit. But still some followups...
1) What do you mean by restore the library on her computer? Simply open her library file in iTunes?
2) On our current machine...media is actually split between a couple folders but all under the My Music folder. But there are multiple subfolders (iTunes, Her iPhone, and Amazon MP3). I presume as long as I copy over the entire My Music folder there shouldn't be any access issues when the library is opened on her machine?
3) Is there any easy way to get rid of all the extra files that she doesn't have in her library? For instance, all my music and apps that she doesn't actually want, is there any easy way of separating those out from the files that are actually linked to in her library? Vice versa for me...once we've go her library set up on her machine, any easy way to purge all the extra files from my PC that aren't actually in my library?
Thanks!

Managing multiple libraries for multiple family members

I have four family members with multiple iTune libraries, including two that need to be age appropriate for our children. To add to this burden, we now have an iPad as well. How do I best manage these libraries, minimizing duplicate purchases, enabling each to have store accounts for gift card purchases, and sync each iPod simply for those not familiar with the apple software? Can I merge our libraries, create different users with their songs and accounts for purchases and syncing logins? We have two operating systems in the home, mac and pc? Argh, this is cumbersome, my library has over 4000 items, other family members have much smaller libraries, but would like their own individual libraries. Should I merge and make separate playlists for each user? If so, how can I incorporate my own vast library of playlists already created?
Help me please, any suggestions?
Rob Mc

There are 3 options. See this page:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1495
My advice is to use option #1 and have each user with a separate windows userID. They can each keep their own itunes library database file with ratings, play counts, playlists.
Have all the library content in a public folder to avoid filling the PC's hard drive with duplicates.
You can use a 3rd-party utility program like iTunes Folder Watch to update all the libraries when new content gets added.
Method #2 is easiest, but then ratings and play counts will not be separated. Also, they have to remember to log out of the itunes store and log in with their own ID when making purchases. Something to watch for when kids are involved with their own gift cards....this is not a problem with method #1.
Method #3 seems to give a lot of people grief because all users MUST use a shift-start of itunes to choose their own library. Woe has fallen on many who have tried this method.
As for using both Mac & PC, itunes & ipods are designed to only sync with one PC. There is a way around that, but you either have to do a lot of manual backing up and copying, or buy something like TuneRanger.

Multiple Libraries & duplicates

I am sure that my problem is common so hopefully this post will help other people solve similar problems. It may have been answered in other posts although nothing has popped out as a clear and concise way to solve how to deal with multiple libraries and duplicate pictures.
I have over the years created, edited and merged various iPhoto libraries. I now have such a mess of pictures and libraries I don't know what to do to organize them all. The smallest library is about 10GB, the largest about 45GB. I purchased iPhoto Library Manager and Duplicate Annihilator. I have attempted to merge some of the libraries but that didn't work that well. It created yet another library and more duplicates. I then (foolishly) attempted to drag and drop a library file and that created extra pics like thumbnails of the all the faces.
So is there an easier way that sifting thru about 30,000 images?
Do I deal with the duplicates in each separate library first, then merge and do it again. Or attempt a total merge, then scan for duplicates?
Another approach I thought about is to work directly with the originals in the library contents.
I am lucky that I haven't spent too much time with albums, books etc. There is some metadata (comments, maps and faces), but nothing to serious.

Try using a free tool, ExifRenamer (http://www.qdev.de/?location=mac/exifrenamer)
Do not use this tool on files inside of iPhoto Library. You can use the tool only with originals, in simple file format. So you probably need to export the files from iPhoto first before using the tool.
It renames photo/video file names to date/time they were taken. You'd drop a folder containing the files onto ExifRenamer icon, and the files will be renamed. Pretty simple. You can specify the format of file name and other settings to your preference first. Once the files are renamed, you'd drop them into folders based on year/quarter/month.
Basically you'd reorganize the files in this folder structure
2009_01
2009_02
2010_03
Or you could work with
2009-q1 (for Jan - March)
2009-q2 (for Apr - June)
As you are dropping the renamed files into their directories, you may be asked to overwrite files, which you should do.
Once you've renamed the files, you can reimport them into iPhoto Library. I recommend one iPhoto Library for 1 year. Maybe you could keep more years in 1 iPhoto Library. My personal preference is 1 iPhoto Library for 1 year.
Lastly, please make a good backup and test before proceeding. I recommend this.
-Let Time Machine run with iPhoto closed.
-Export all photos from iPhoto into a separate folder. This is for backup and not to be touched.
-Export all photos from iPhoto or duplicate the folder you created in previous step. Work with this folder when using ExifRenamer. Start working with small sets of files initially until you are comfortable.

ITunes match with multiple libraries

I can't seem to find a satisfactory answer to this. Namely, how does iTunes Match treat multiple libraries on the same Mac. In my case, I spent a lot of time segregating my music. Thus, I have a rock library, a classical library, an instrumental (Windham Hill and Narada) library, an ambient recording library. It makes sense to me to do this rather that dump everything into one pot. That way, I can load a Touch with a specific library and don't have to create a zillion playlists. Using the same iTunes login, how will Match treat these different libraries? Will it only concern itself with what it finds in the currently open library? How will it treat different iPod Touches that are linked to a specific library? Will it want to push the wrong music to a Touch? Would appreciate any thoughts.

One person sets up Match on their computer using the iTunes account. Uploads everything to match.
I would recommend waiting until that person is done, and do computers one at a time. No particular reason, just seems sensible.
Next person sets up match using same iTunes account details. Uploads their stuff. They will then see everything the previous user put into the system, unless you select "Hide music not on this computer" in the view menu. Previous user will now see their stuff too.
Rinse and repeat.
This is how it worked with my multiple machines anyway... As long as every computer uses the same iTunes account for the store, you all get access to the same Match account.

Multiple libraries or multiple accounts ?

Hi,
At the moment, everybody in the family is using my apple ID and it's getting difficult to manage because I don't want to share my password to avoid high expenses and also when the kids get older, it will be a problem.
So I need to know which is better for my family's future : multiple libraries on one account or creating different users on my computer with different itunes accounts ?
Also if I have different accounts, can I share music and apps ?
Thanks

I recommend you get her her own iTunes account for purchasing from the iTunes store.
You/she can add gift cards instead of using your credit card so you won't have to worry about how much she purchases.
should I just have one account and create a new library for her music and videos?
Create her own iTunes account and create her own library by creating a new computer login for her.
She will have her own iTunes library in her own computer account.

Multiple libraries on same computer with current iTunes version

How can I create multiple libraries with the current version of iTunes? I want to add a library to a computer that already has one. Please help!

Go to System Preferences>Users and Groups and click on the padlock in lower left and enter admin PW to allow changes. Then click on the + sign in lower left and add a new user

Multiple Preferences for Multiple Libraries?

Now that I'm able to create multiple libraries with iTunes 7, I'd like to be able to have a different set of preferences for each library. That is, I'd like to have my local hard drive's library to copy files to the iTunes Music folder when I use it while refraining from copying while I use my external hard drive's library. As I understand it, preferences are user-based, so I can't figure out how to do this.
When I used Libra previous to iTunes 7, it was able to handle this. Any ideas about how to do this using iTunes 7 solely?
Thanks
Powerbook G4 17 1 ghz Mac OS X (10.3.7)

wow Addison that link you posted saved my life (and sanity!) it actually stopped the crashing of iTunes thanks so much!!

Multiple Libraries for Video running at the same time on one PC

Hi Everyone -
I want to clarify this is for VIDEO files, not music for my 6 ATV's on the network.
Problem: I have well over 1000 VIDEOS in my iTunes Library, and I am wanting to have multiple libraries availible at the same time; not just whichever the computer has open.
We have several atv's on the network and I would like to take my video organization one step further; instead of scrolling forever in the atv menus for the video you want; I could make several libraries all availible at the same time.
Such as:
Kids Library
Workout Library
Parents Library
etc
This in turn would shrink the primary library and have less videos to sort by. I know how to create the Libraries, I just dont know how to have them all running at the same time.
Infastructure:
Windows 7 Ultimate with Drobo B800FS (16TB of storage) all connected to Cisco 3660 Gig switch with multiple atv's hardwired back.

iTunes can only open one library at a time. If you have multiple computers, or virtual machines, each could be serving a different library.
tt2

Multiple Libraries for Multiple Users on iTunes

Is there a way - using iTunes 7 - to have multiple libraries? Our family shares a computer and I would love to have separate libraries.
Thanks.
Tas804

Hi there
Hold down the 'alt' key for a couple of seconds when you launch iTunes from the dock.
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Multiple Libraries Created

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