[graph-tool] Binary and compiled version living together

Hello, I would like to start extending graph-tools, but I wonder if it is possible to have the official release (installed from the repository) along with a custom compiled version. I don't know how python manages the libraries, so I'm wondering if it is possible to either: - switch from one library to the other when running the python script (like changing the classpath when running a java program) - change the library name, so I could do something like "import graph_tool" to get the official version and "import graph_tool_mydevel" to get my modified version If it is there any other (maybe easier) solution, please let me know. Thanks, Giuseppe