How can I transfer a custom playlist in my itunes library to my new ipod mini?

plug it in, select the songs you want to transfer (if it's all of
them, you can "select all"), and drag them onto the iPod icon that
appears in your iTunes directory.  Then wait until it says the
updating of your iPod is complete. :o)

Thanks for trying, but it didn't frickin work.  When I try to drag
even one song over, it makes a crossed circle just as it does when you
try to drag a song to "Radio".  Any other ideas?
Thanks,
Mike

You need to change your Preferences in iTunes and select the
playlist(s) you want transferred to your iPod:

To automatically update your iPod, iPod nano, or iPod mini with only
selected playlists, first connect your iPod to your computer. When it
appears in the Source list, choose iTunes > Preferences and click the
iPod button. Click the Music button and select "Automatically update
selected playlists only," and then select the playlists you want to
transfer.

Source: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iTunesWin/5.0/en/794.html

those are all good ways to accomplish the transfer-and they weren't
that clear in the instructions!

Well, first click file in the top left hand corner of itunes the click
"New Playlist". When the playlist appears on the right hand side under
"Source" double click the new playlist to name it.When this is don go
to "library" under "Source" and then individually pick the songs you
wish to have on your custom playlist then drag each one to your new
playlist and "voilla" update your ipod and on the ipod main menu go to
music then playlists and choose your new custom playlist and listen
happily.
hope i helped.

Wannabebam