How Do I Add More Libraries To Jellyfin?

Add more libraries to Jellyfin

Adding more libraries is a fundamental way to expand and organize your Jellyfin media server. While you may have set up an initial library during the installation process, your media collection will grow over time, and a well-structured library system ensures a smooth and enjoyable browsing experience for you and your users.

This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to add more libraries and covers best practices for organization and troubleshooting.

Step-by-step guide to adding a new library

1. Log in to your Jellyfin server: Using a web browser, navigate to your Jellyfin web interface.
2. Access the Dashboard: Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner, then go to Admin > Dashboard.
3. Navigate to Libraries: In the left-hand menu of the Dashboard, select Libraries.
4. Click "Add Media Library": You will see a list of your existing libraries. Click the + Add Media Library button to create a new one.
5. Configure the new library:
   • Content Type: Select the type of media for the new library from the drop-down menu (e.g., Movies, Shows, Music). It is crucial to match the content type to the folder's media to ensure Jellyfin fetches the correct metadata. Avoid the "Mixed" library type for better metadata matching and organization.
   • Display Name: Give your new library a descriptive name, such as "Documentaries" or "4K Movies".
   • Folders: Click the + Add folder button. Browse your file system and select the directory that contains the media for this specific library.
     • Local paths: For media stored on the same machine as Jellyfin, you will see a file browser.
     • Network paths: For media on a Network Attached Storage (NAS) or another machine, enter the UNC path (e.g., \\nas01\media\movies) or ensure the network folder is properly mounted and accessible to the Jellyfin service.
   • Advanced options: Expand this section to fine-tune your library. Settings like preferred metadata language and metadata downloaders can be customized on a per-library basis.
6. Save the library: Once your folder and settings are correct, click OK at the bottom of the page.
7. Initial Scan: Jellyfin will begin scanning the new folder. A progress bar will appear at the top of the screen to indicate its status. The time this takes depends on the library's size.

Best practices for library organization

A well-structured file system is the secret to a high-quality Jellyfin experience.

File and folder structure

• Separate content types: Always maintain separate parent folders for different content types (e.g., one for movies, one for TV shows, one for music). This aligns with Jellyfin's recommended library types.
• Use nested folders: For TV shows, use a nested structure: Shows/Series Name/Season 01/Episode Name.mkv. For movies, a simple Movies/Movie Name (Year)/Movie Name (Year).mkv is standard.
• Follow naming conventions: Jellyfin relies on file and folder names to match media with the correct online metadata. Consistently follow its official naming guide, or use a third-party tool like Filebot to automate the process.

Create logical libraries

Instead of one giant "Movies" library, consider creating multiple, more specific libraries to improve navigation.

• By genre: Separate libraries for "Horror," "Comedy," or "Documentaries".
• By content quality: Create a separate library for "4K Ultra HD" content to make it easy to find and monitor.
• By category: You could have libraries like "Kids Movies" or "Anime" to restrict access or simply to categorize content.

Add custom flair

• Custom artwork: Enhance your libraries with personalized artwork.
• Sorting: Use "sort titles" in a library's settings to control the order in which they appear on your homepage.

Advanced library management and troubleshooting

Dealing with permission issues

If Jellyfin cannot see your media folders, it is almost always a file permission problem.

• Linux: Ensure the user running the Jellyfin service has read and execute permissions on all media folders and their parents.
• Windows: When running Jellyfin as a service, it may not have access to mapped network drives. Use a UNC path instead (e.g., \\server\share\movies) or configure the Jellyfin service to log in as a user with the correct permissions.

Scanning and monitoring

• Scheduled scans: By default, Jellyfin will scan your libraries on a schedule (e.g., every 12 hours).
• Real-time monitoring: For instant updates, you can enable real-time monitoring in the library settings.
• Manual scans: Trigger a manual scan from the Dashboard or by right-clicking a specific library.

Migrating or moving libraries

If you need to move a library to a new location without losing metadata, it is possible but requires careful manual editing of configuration files. The general process involves updating the path information and the associated .mblink file for the specific library, but the exact steps depend on your installation type.

By following this guide, you can confidently add and manage multiple libraries in Jellyfin, creating a highly organized and easy-to-use media server that grows with your collection.