My iphoto library folder with files of my pictures is missing from the pictures folder, only the application icon remains. I have read through similar discussions but have not managed to fix the problem with the recommended solutions. Can anyone help?

Question

I have a Macbook Pro with iphoto '08 running on Mac OS X version 10.5.8.  I used to be able to go to my pictures folder on my HD and access my pictures via that iphoto library folder.  There used to be a small arrow next to the iphoto icon with all the albums then listed within the folder (to the right).  That arrow is now gone and all I have is the iphoto application icon which just reopens iphoto when I click on it, but I want to be able to access the data files.  Somehow I do have files btwn 2008 and 2009 but it hasn't created these since then...Could someone please help me to restore this ability?  I have read other similar posts but they seem to be related to lost data all together and I do luckily have all my pictures in iphoto still. I just can't access them in the pictures folder which means I can't access them on my external hard drive.  I am now out of start up disc space somehow so I figured I had to delete some albums (I have 12,090 pictures) and do have them backed up but want to make sure I can go back for them when I need them.  I did export all the pictures to a folder on the hard drive but it is all 12,090 in one long list with only numbers as names and not in any order, this will be a nightmare to access later!  Please help!  Thank you!

Answer 1

You can’t open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto.
That indicates that that is your library.  Put it in your Pictures folder if it already isn't there and make sure it's named "iPhoto Library".  It should look like this:
Now launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and select that library to open.  If you get that same message close iPhoto and try the following;
Apply the two fixes below in order as needed:
Fix #1
Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
Select the options identified in the screenshot. 
Fix #2
Using iPhoto Library Manager  to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your Home/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the File ➙ Rebuild Library menu option
In the next  window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
Click on the Create button.
Note: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments but not books, calendars or slideshows. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.