Setting up iPod Shuffle

Silly question, but if I just bought an iPod Shuffle for my son. I have an iPod an iTunes of my own already set up on my computer. Do I still need to install the new software that came with his? I'm afraid if I do, it will erase my existing iTunes library (this has happened before when I did a recommended update).

So, do I need to install the new software even though I already have it, or not?

Many thanks.