Libraries & folder connections

Add or edit a library#

1. Open Libraries. Choose add-library, or the edit control beside an existing library.
2. Select Media type: Movies, TV Shows, Music or Home Videos as offered.
3. Enter Display label (required, up to 80 characters). This is the Media Center sidebar label.
4. Under Physical folders, add readable paths or use Choose folders. Remove only the path row you intend to disconnect.
5. Choose the scan timing, review the proposed library and access changes, then save.

Or join an existing library reuses its label, type and preferences. The review indicates a merge before applying it. Do not use this to combine collections that should have different access rules.

Options and when to use them#

Control/group	Meaning and verified values	Confirm or recover
Scan timing	Scan after saving, or Save now, scan later	Watch library activity; trigger a targeted scan later if deferred.
Preserve existing folder structure	Keep filesystem organization for folder-oriented browsing	Review the source tree; it is not a source rename operation.
Look up metadata and artwork online	Allow enabled providers to look up metadata	Disable for local-only indexing; already indexed media remains.
Watch for new and changed files	Watch supported source changes	Mounted/network drives may still need a manual scan.
Metadata language / Country code	Library provider locale; country is two characters	Change these before a refresh and inspect provider matches.
Preferred metadata provider	Engine recommended order or an available provider	Names depend on installed engine providers; fallback providers remain enabled.
Movie provider collection grouping	Group films using provider collection IDs	Incorrect IDs should be corrected in Metadata studio.
Library access	All current/future libraries or selected people, where shown	Confirm with the intended user's Media Center, not the administrator's broad view.

TV-specific hierarchy, embedded information and specials settings are covered in series recognition. Permission changes and merges are surfaced in Review & save; re-open the library after saving to confirm its paths and settings.

Scan, disconnect or remove#

Use a library's targeted scan action after changing files or recognition rules. Removing a library requires its removal confirmation; it disconnects the index rather than deleting original media. Preserve paths/settings before reorganizing a collection. If a save reports a revision conflict, refresh the form and review the current server configuration before retrying.

Missing or inaccessible folders#

Reconnect the drive and verify macOS folder permissions for the account running the background service. In the native app, Metadata studio inspection and Directory expose source context. A folder existing in another computer's filesystem is not a valid local Mac path.