Multiple Libraries on iTunes

Is it possible to have multiple libraries on iTunes? How do I set them up.
I have a library with about 26,000 songs and want to add out holiday music.
I'd like to have a seperate library just for the holiday music and be able to switch between them.

Steve:
I must echo Matthew's recommendation of iTunes Library Manager. I am currently in the process of reencoding all of my CDs. I had ripped a substantial portion of them when iTunes first came out, and I did so without knowing what I was doing - some are ripped in low bitrate MP3, others were transcoded from AAC to MP3 and vice-versa. In some cases, there were problems with the rip and songs were truncated. I decided that rather than try to weed out the bad tracks, I'd just re-rip the entire physical library as Apple Lossless.
By doing so in a separate library - I don't worry about duplicate tracks or the Lossless files getting mixed up with the MP3 data files, and then whenever I need a "clean" copy for my main library - I can just browse, import and convert to the desired codec. I also don't want the Lossless in my main library because that is the Library I use to sync with my iPod, and I don't have enough space to keep all my music in Lossless format on the iPod.
The utility is very easy to use - when you first open it, you should save your current library under two different names, and then load the version you are going to edit. iTunes Library Manager will ask you if you want to quit and load, and then it will prompt you for relaunch. You can have as many libraries as you need. The current version doesn't have a way of creating an empty library - if you want to start from scratch for any reason, but all you'll need to do is delete the songs from the Library, but NOT - REPEAT NOT - FROM YOUR HARD DRIVE.
Definitely worth the $5 shareware fee.
Lita

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Multiple Libraries in iTunes 7 (Windows)

Another whinge about iTunes 7!
The multiple libraries feature in the Windows version (I don't know about the Mac version) is very poorly implemented and, quite frankly, useless.
When changing libraries in iTunes 7, the preferences for the new library are not copied across; in effect, iTunes 7 retains the preferences for the previous library. This becomes very annoying if the user has libraries with different preference settings, as I do. I have two libraries, one of which is located on the hard drive of my PC and the other on a network drive. The two libraries have different preferences, ie music location and the encoder used when importing files (one lossless and the other AAC).
Whenever I switch libraries in iTunes 7, the preferences for the previous library are retained. Consequently, when I select a new library I have to change the preferences to match those required for that library. Otherwise, iTunes 7 updates the new library according to the preferences for the old library. Very frustrating, I can tell you!
I have now removed iTunes 7 and restored iTunes 6, along with a third party library manager until such time as Apple comes up with a decent way of managing multiple libraries.
Windows XP

No, it's the same Windows XP user account, but I have two separate music libraries - the music files in library are in a lossless format, while those in the other are in AAC. For convenience, I wish to keep the two libraries separate.
In iTunes 7 it is possible to have separate libraries - start iTunes and hold down the SHIFT key (Windows) while the program starts. A dialogue box then appears where the required library can be selected. However, as far as I can tell, it's not possible to have a different set of preferences for each library.
Say the preferences are set up for my lossless library, which is located on a separate network drive. If I then make the AAC library active and open iTunes, iTunes reindexes the library according to the settings for the lossless library and I end up with the AAC library full of lossless files. I've tried unchecking various things in the preferences box, but I've had no luck fixing the problem. Thanks for your suggestion - I have already reported the problem.
The whole thing is a rather inelegant way of managing multiple libraries in iTunes. Surely the Apple developers can come up with a way of doing it from within iTunes??

Multiple Libraries in iTunes.

Can someone explain me how to create multiple libraries in iTunes.
I've a huge load of 5000 songs of which 2000 is what I hear often.
I don't have album art on the other 3000 songs and don't want to clutter it with my main library.
Moreover, these 2000 songs are automatically synced with my iPhone. However, I sometimes need to move a couple of songs from the main list which I find it too tedious without a library.
Can someone teach me how to create a second library in iTunes without affecting my main library and switch seamlessly (and copy files) between the two?
Thanks,
Mugunth

One more thing, if you want a more efficient way to switch iTunes libraries without having to keep restarting iTunes, considering downloading free software http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/ipoditunes/multitunesdavidcaldwell.html

Multiple Libraries for iTunes

I am wondering if there is any way to create multiple libraries for my music? I use my iTunes for both work and personal music and would like to be able to move my work music into a separate library. I've seen this concept in accounting programs, where you create new companys in order to store and track separate information. Any suggestions? I am currently using iTunes 5.0

Cherrie:
Try iTunes Library Manager. It's not free, but it does work.
Lita

Supposed support for Multiple Libraries in iTunes 7

Come on Apple, your website says iTunes 7 supports multiple libraries in multiple locations, yet there is no way to enable a second library or create additional libraries through iTunes. Is this just hype about the tedious manual workaround of not having iTunes copy everything to one location? When will we get true multiple libraries? This is sorely missing functionality for anyone with a harddrive smaller than 250GB.
Quoted from http://www.apple.com/itunes/overview/
"Multiple Libraries
Build your collection over multiple libraries, and keep them on different hard drives to save space."

I think there are a large number of us who are in the "for some reason" category: we want to have our libraries split across multiple HD's.
Here's my exact scenario:
I have a small portion of my library stored locally on my PowerBook for when I am on the road (~30GB). I have the bulk of my music collection stored on an external drive at home (~160GB). I have another set of tracks that are works in progress that my band is in the process of writing/recording, stored on a 2nd external drive at our studio (~10GB). I want to be able to plug in any of the external drives, and have access to that content whenever I am at home or at the studio, without having to change the local library stored on my PowerBook.
Consolidating the library does not help at all in this scenario - not only does the complete library not fit on my PB's hard drive, but I also don't want the reverse, which is to consolidate to one external drive which I'd then have to carry around everywhere. iTunes should be smart enough to recognize different library files concurrently, and store the import/organize settings per library. I guess that's too much to ask...

Support for multiple libraries on iTunes server

Hi All
I need help to understand if the following is possible, and if so, how I can best go about getting this working.
I have all of my music on my server, which iTunes can see. Why I try and use Homeharing on my iPad it just takes too long to create the music library on the iPad (i waited about 3 minutes and gave up). Therefore I had an idea. Currently all of my music is in a library called My Music. What I was thinking was that if I could seperate the music out so that multiple libraries were available via Homesharing on the ipad i could choose a suitable library, and not have to wait to load the entire music library each time.
Therefore, I thought I'd start with an easy split - creat a library of music for my young daughter. That way she can have access to her music, and I never need to see it within my library. I 've gone into itunes to create a new library for her music, but the only way i can se to create a new library is to log on as a different usr in iTunes.
All i ultimately want is a solution whereby i can have multiple libraries available whenever we open up the Homesharing option in iPad / Ipod Music player app. Is this possible?

As of this morning I can't get Home Sharing to work on either of my iPhones. It gets stuck at 3/4ths the way through and I can watch my battery percentage drop in front of me. My phones get warm trying

Cannot Use Multiple Libraries in ITunes 8.0

I'm trying to set up multiple libraries, one of lossless that runs of an external drive, one of compressed that runs off a portable drive. I'm in XP.
I have set up Itunes with the lossless files, and am now trying to startup Itunes with the shift key in order to have the option to create a new library. No dice. I hold shift then I double click on the Itunes icon on the desktop. I've also tried it from the programs menu and the start menu. On two different computers. Every time, it just loads the account already set up.
HELP!

To create or access a second (or more) library on a Mac, hold down the Option key when launching iTunes 7. In the resulting dialogue you will get the option to create a new library or navigate to the other Library.
Note: You can only have one Library open at a time and iTunes will default to the last library opened if you don't use the keyboard command to choose one: Using multiple iTunes libraries -Mac

Using Multiple Libraries With iTunes 7.5

I recently updated to 7.5, using multiple libraries does not work anymore. The dialog to choose library if holding the option key while opening itunes will not appear anymore. anyone having a similar problem? Multiple libraries are a necessity for me.

I am also having this problem. I tried to create a separate library, but when I followed the directions (hitting shift when I open iTunes) I did not get the option to do so. My regular account just opens. Have you resolved your problem yet?
Message was edited by: phaedracat

Multiple Libraries in iTunes 7

Me and my partner use the same pc at home and up to now have been using the same library.
I now understand that we can set up multiple libraries on the same pc which we have done. However, is there a simple way to transfer all my partners music out of the main library into her library?

This article may be of interst, you did not say which method you used for creating different libraries.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300432
The library files are just databases containing information about your music. There is no reason to copy the actual music files, as long as both users have access to the files. You add your music to your to your library and your partner does the same.
If you are using separate accounts, you can put the music files in the shared music folder, but as you didn't say what you did, I can't be specific about what to do. If you do want to copy music files into another account, you can also do it via a shared folder.
Message was edited by: polydorus

I use multiple libraries with itunes - should I create a new library for a 2nd iphone

I use multiple iTunes libraries to manage multiple devices from the same PC. I'm purchasing an iPhone 6 and currently have a library for my iPhone 4. Would I create a new library for this new device? Also, to restore all content to my new phone, Will this restore be done from the existing iPhone 4 library? Is this process documented?

I can't address specific issues regarding iPhones, but in general you can manage multiple iDevices from a single iTunes library. The test approach is to maintain one or more playlists for each iDevice you use, and configure the latter to sync only from the relevant playlists:
This article: Transfer content from an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to a new device - Apple Support documents Apple's guidance regarding transferring content from one iOS device to another.

Multiple libraries on iTunes 7

I currently have 2 libaries on one desktop & want to start a 3rd - my problem is switching between them. I hold down the shift key when opening iTunes, but when prompted to choose library am faced with an ever expanding array of folders within folders & have no idea which one is the last one used & therefor the one I want to open now!Is there some way to simplify things & consolidate all these files & folders ? I am using windows XP SP2

I think there are a large number of us who are in the "for some reason" category: we want to have our libraries split across multiple HD's.
Here's my exact scenario:
I have a small portion of my library stored locally on my PowerBook for when I am on the road (~30GB). I have the bulk of my music collection stored on an external drive at home (~160GB). I have another set of tracks that are works in progress that my band is in the process of writing/recording, stored on a 2nd external drive at our studio (~10GB). I want to be able to plug in any of the external drives, and have access to that content whenever I am at home or at the studio, without having to change the local library stored on my PowerBook.
Consolidating the library does not help at all in this scenario - not only does the complete library not fit on my PB's hard drive, but I also don't want the reverse, which is to consolidate to one external drive which I'd then have to carry around everywhere. iTunes should be smart enough to recognize different library files concurrently, and store the import/organize settings per library. I guess that's too much to ask...

Multiple Libraries with itunes 11

I didn't find this in the search, so here goes: I have multiple itunes libraries; one for me, one for my wife, and one for my daughter. After updating itunes, I opened my daughter library to find things like Metallica and Iron Maiden mixed in with her lulabies. Not cool. All my libraries re now mixed together. I how do keep them separate - I have spent countless hours setting all this up, and now I have to do it again?
Thanks!
JjG

the best practice is for every user that uses the same computer to have separate account.

Do not understand how to manage multiple libraries in iTunes

Hope to learn from you!
What I am trying to achieved?
Using the proper procedures as described in "iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder" - I have succesfully moved my iTunes library to an external hard disk. So, I can play from this HDD when it is connected. That's good. I have trashed this library from the internal disk.
I want to keep a smaller iTunes library in my laptop - so I can play music without having the HDD connected. I do not need to keep this library in sync with the external main HDD - but, it is fine if it is.
So, I created a new iTunes in my laptop and named it "iTunes Laptop". I will "option" launch iTunes and select this library. In the "advanced" preference pane - both these "Keep iTunes Media folder organised" and "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library" are ticked.
Now, when I copy music from CD to this "iTunes Laptop" - it will copy to this folder "iTunes Laptop>Music" AND to the 'iTunes Media" on the HDD.
But, I can play the copied music on the "iTunes Laptop" ONLY when the HDD is connected - but, the music files arte in BOTH the "iTunes Laptop>Music" AND "iTunes Media" on the HDD!
Does anyone understand what I have done correctly to achieve my objectives stated above? Or, what is your ways to doing something similar?
Kind regards.

You're welcome, Rob.
Thanks again for your prompt advice. Is there any way to merge libraries?
There is not yet a simple, lossless way to merge libraries. It would be better to merge all iPhoto Libraries into one before migrating them to Photos.
You have two options:
Merge the iPhoto Librariess with Aperture, if you have a compatible Aperture version. See: Aperture 3.3: How to use Aperture to merge iPhoto libraries
Merge the iPhoto Libraries with iPhoto Library Manager before migrating. But you would need the full, paid version: See: http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/Help/merging%20libraries.html
If you want to store the libraries in iCloud Photo Library, you could alternately upload one library after the other by opening it as your main System Photo Library and enabling iCloud Photo Library, This would result in a merged Library in iCloud, but your Faces data would not download again.
And would cause a lot of network traffic and you would need an advanced storage plan for iCloud to store a large library.
iCloud Photo Library beta FAQ
The lossy option is to export all photos from the libraries to be added and to import them to iPhoto.

Using Multiple Libraries in iTunes

I have a friend who has collected a huge library of jazz CDs as well as a huge library of blues CDs.
He does not use a computer and I offered to rip his CDs onto my computer and put them on an iPod for him to make it easier for him to listen to his music.
I did this with his jazz set and now want to rip his blues set for him.
It would be my preference to start a new itunes library and keep the jazz music separate from the blues music, rather than intemingling them in one iTunes library. I know I can set the type of music in iTunes, but I find that iTunes has its own idea as to type of music and it doesn't always align with mine, so I don't really trust it to get the type on all of the blues collection the way I want it. If I have to do this manually, it would be quite tedious. Having the music in a separate library is most appealing to me.
The question I have:
Am I going to be able to load all the blues music to his ipod which already has all the jazz music on it? I know that Apple is queezy about what device hooks up to what. I have his iTunes library on an external drive and have to make sure I hook it up to the right computer (We have several) or itunes threatens to delete everything from his ipad if I am on a computer it doesn't like.
Is there anything similar that happens if I want to add the contents of his blues iTunes library to his iPod containing his jazz iTunes library on the "correct" computer?
Does anyone have an idea about how I can do what I want to do if there is a problem?
I could save the music in separate libraries and then combine them in a third library by importing one into the other, and then synching the whole thing to his iPod. This seemsa bit extreme and would use a lot time and disk space as his libraries are pretty big.
Thanks,
--Kenoli

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Using Multiple Libraries on iTunes

Me and my husband have an iPod each but have different taste in music so want to be able to create our own Libraries, I have managed to set up a new user account on my computer which seems to have gone fine but when I try and update the iPod on the new account it won't update.
The option to update iPod is there but when clicked nothing happens. However the original account still appears to be working and updating fine.
Can anyone advise what I am doing wrong?

hi whittering!
The option to update iPod is there but when clicked nothing happens.
while the ipod is plugged in and showing up in your itunes sourcelist, go "edit > preferences" and click on the "ipod" tab.
do you have one of the automatic settings engaged? if so, which one? or do you have "manually manage ..." engaged?
love, b

Multiple Libraries on iTunes

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