Can I make two different libraries in iTunes?

[DM110]

I have searched the iTunes help and have not found the answer that I need. I have a new iBook 12" with a 60Gb HD. I just purchased a Seagate 200Gb external HD for backing up the iBook and storing some audio files. I do not have room on the iBook but I should have enough room on the Seagate to rip my CD collection (~800 CDs).

Can I create a library on the Seagate HD for my whole collection for transfer to an iPod while keeping a library on the iBook for some tunes (4 or 5 Gb) to have with me on my laptop? As best I can tell I would just need to switch iTunes' pointer to the library when I want to use one or the other. Is this right? TIA.

DM

 

[yellow5]

You can't have two different libraries on the same user account.

The only way to do this is to create another account on your mac. Then open iTunes and you should see a blank library. Now you can have it point to your music collection of your external.

Hope it helps.

 

[killuminati]

I'v sent that as a feature request to itunes.

I would like to be able to have two different libraries on one account and maybe even have the ability to password protect one of them.

 

[After G]

I thought you could have two different libraries, as there is a preference in iTunes that lets you change the location of your library. Is it possible to just change that and have two different libraries? Or will the libraries overwrite each other?

 

[Blue Velvet]

You can't have two different libraries on the same user account.

Oh yes you can. I have two identical libraries on my account: one lossless, the other 256 AAC. All done with Doug's iTunes Library Manager.

http://www.dougscripts.com/itunes/itinfo/ituneslibrarymanager.php

With iTunes Library Manager v4.2.2 you can maintain two or more libraries each with its own associated Preferences settings.

For example, you can have one "Main Library" which contains all your songs and playlists, and another which just contains your "Holiday Music" songs and playlists.

Additionally, because each library is saved and loaded with its associated preferences, you can create many different configurations for different uses. For instance, you can assign each library its own designated Music folder, and keep a library of audio files on your computer and another distinct library of audio files on another volume, network drive or external drive; different libraries can have different Sharing, Burning or Importing settings, too. The flexibility is awesome.

 

[rainman::|:|]

Even easier would be to store the music library on the external drive, then update the iPod with certain playlists you make, or you can use the checkboxes next to the song name to control what's put on the iPod. Multiple libraries are handy, but for what you want, iTunes can pretty much accommodate.

 

[DM110]

Thanks for all of the replies. The script scared me a little since it didn't acknowledge the latest version of iTunes. I went with the separate account and that should do it. Thanks again.

DM

 

[bentley]

This is what I do as I'm in the same situation.

Set your library to point to the Seagate (make sure you have it plugged in).

Rip your music library.

Make a playlist of the files you want on the laptop HD and then transfer these into the default music folder on the hardrive.

Basically what will then happen is when your HD is plugged in you'll have full access to your library, but when the HD is disconnected just play stuff off the playlist and iTunes will automatically play that file from the HD music library.