Out of Application Memory Error when Importing Library as Project

Question

I have for years followed a practice of consolidating discrete event libraries (I create a new event-specific library for each event I shoot) into my main library at home. 
Recently, though, I have been unable to import libraries as projects. The process begins, but ultimately grinds to a halt as I get an Out of Application Memory Error, invoking the Force Quit panel and telling me to quit some of my open programs in order to free memory to run the various open applications.  (Aperture, of course, is "not responding").
In Activity Monitor, a process called kernal_task, is the culprit, taking up nearly 10 GB of my 16 GB memory; Aperture is second, using 1 to 2 GB in memory.
When I force quit Aperture, kernal-task quickly dissipates, eliminating all of the memory pressure.
I have no idea how to even begin addressing this.
I have the most recent version of Mavericks and Aperture running on an older 8-core Mac Pro.
Thanks for any insights or suggestions.
Gordon

Answer 1

There is about 2TB of  free space on the drive with the destination library.
And how much free disk space is on your System drive?
If repairing the libraries does not help, check your system for software, that might be leaking memory, probably incompatible plug-ins or older applications, preference panes, drivers that need updating,
If you find evidence of a precess leaking memory, ask in the Mavericks forum.
See this post by Linc Davis for how to check for memory leaks:
in response to makinnoize media