CMake link to external library

Set libraries search path first:

link_directories(${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/res)

And then just do

target_link_libraries(GLBall mylib)

arrowdodger's answer is correct and preferred on many occasions. I would simply like to add an alternative to his answer:

You could add an "imported" library target, instead of a link-directory. Something like:

# Your-external "mylib", add GLOBAL if the imported library is located in directories above the current.
add_library( mylib SHARED IMPORTED )
# You can define two import-locations: one for debug and one for release.
set_target_properties( mylib PROPERTIES IMPORTED_LOCATION ${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/res/mylib.so )

And then link as if this library was built by your project:

TARGET_LINK_LIBRARIES(GLBall mylib)

Such an approach would give you a little more flexibility: Take a look at the add_library( ) command and the many target-properties related to imported libraries.

I do not know if this will solve your problem with "updated versions of libs".