I generally start by taking as much from KiCad’s native libraries as it will give me, except for the DIP packages, IDC headers and similar with 2.54mm spacing. I find the normal footprints have very tiny pads which are not so nice for hand soldering, and I find the “longpads” version too wide because I can’t route a “normal” track with between such spins. Therefore I use KiCads footprint generator wizards for these footprints.
I’m also a bit old school, and have a tendency to make all footprints that I need and are not in KiCad’s libraries myself. Those online sites that distribute footprints may be worth looking at. They seem to take their business serious and are ever improving in quality. I’m just not in a habit of using them.
I do find it an important skill to be able to make your own schematic symbols and footprints. There have allways been and ever will be schematic symbols and footprints for which there is no other choice then to make them yourself. KiCad’s editors for schematic symbols and footprints are quite good and easy to use. I consider it an essential skill to be able to use them. These editors were an important part during evaluation before I started using KiCad.
As advise to a beginner, I recommend to just start with KiCad’s native libraries. At some point you will need a schematic symbol or footprint that is not in KiCad (yet). If that part is something “regular”, then you can search the 'net to try to find something suitable. If it’s a “weird” thing, then just open the schematic symbol editor or footprint editor and start designing your own parts.
After you’ve done both, then you have gained the experience to know what suits you best in your situation.
I do not see much usefulness in trying to install many different libraries. It’s likely you end up with multiple copies of the “regular” parts, and still can’t find the “special” part you need.