iPhoto’11 is the most recent release of iPhoto and only runs on Macs using OSX 10.9 Mavericks.

We’ll look at iPhoto library switching in Mavericks first, then cover older versions.

At this point you’re probably saying “Wait… I can have more than one iPhoto library?”

You can have as many iPhoto libraries as you like. If you want to know how to create them read – How To… Create A New iPhoto Library

Switching iPhoto Libraries In OSX 10.9 Mavericks

• Open iPhoto ’11
• iPhoto will open the last library you were using.
• In the Menu Bar go to the File menu and select Switch To Library…

• A window opens asking “Which iPhoto library do you want iPhoto to use”
• You can choose a library from the box or click Other Library… and locate a library in another location.
• Once you have located the correct library, click Choose.

• You will be returned to the iPhoto screen and a dialog box will drop down asking if you want to close and relaunch iPhoto to open the new library. Click Relaunch.

• iPhoto closes and reopens using the new library.

Two Important Things To Remember

1. The library that you last use is now the default library and will automatically open the next time you open iPhoto.
2. If you attach a media device to import photos and video, they will be imported into the library you are currently using.

Switching iPhoto Libraries In Older Versions Of iPhoto

• Hold the Option key down and click the iPhoto icon in the dock.

• A window opens asking “Which iPhoto library do you want iPhoto to use”
• You can choose a library from the box or click Other Library… and locate a library in another location.
• Once you have located the correct library, click Choose.
• iPhoto will launch the library you selected.

If you’d like to switch to a different library, you must close iPhoto and repeat the procedure.

Hope this helps. Now you can finally start that photo organization project you’ve been putting of.

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