iPhoto & Photos Libraries Query

9 May 2015 11:22:44

John Elton-Wall

Can one actually delete libraries? I know that individual images can be deleted (only from within the Apps themselves I gather, unless one wants grief). I have been unable to find clear guidance.

Having recently bought a Mac Mini the time has come to get to grips with our pictures situation. I plan on only having the current year libraries + one or two select libraries (e.g. for my wife's and my own particular interests) on the computers themselves and keeping other annual libraries on external drives (suitably backed up).

As part of the intended rationalisation I would therefore seek to remove libraries from our older computers. I could delete their images of course, but It would seem total nonsense to have to leave residual libraries in the Pictures folder.

Re: iPhoto & Photos Libraries Query

9 May 2015 12:31:16

Derek Wright

Based on my Aperture experience plus looking at iPhoto File Menu it is possible to create a new iPhoto Library, therefore I would expect you to be able to have many iPhoto libraries each dedicated to a specific topic or time frame.

I would then expect you to be able to move the less needed libraries and photos to external drives.

You could give this a test run with a trial library.

Re: iPhoto & Photos Libraries Query

9 May 2015 14:20:26

John Elton-Wall

Derek,
Many thanks for response. Creating and using multiple libraries is not really the thing that bothers me as I have used multiple libraries for years. Having got so many, my interest is in streamlining things by deleting the unwanted libraries, but I am fearful of doing so in view of frequent references to "meddle with iPhoto organisation at your peril".

Neither the iPhoto/Photos menus or their respective Help facilities (nor such quizzing of apple forums, etc. that I have done) talks explicitly about deleting libraries. I cannot believe I am the only user who has found himself with unwanted libraries.

Re: iPhoto & Photos Libraries Query

9 May 2015 14:46:41

Trevor Hewson

If you are nervous about deleting a library, you could just put it out of reach, e.g. on a removable drive or USB stick and just see whether iPhoto (or Photos) objects. Unless it was the library it last used, I don't think it will even notice, but it isn't something I've tried.

Re: iPhoto & Photos Libraries Query

9 May 2015 14:54:20

Mick Burrell

I can't see a problem (apart from the wholesale loss of images!) - just don't delete the library that iPhoto is currently using.