MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Browsing a Calibre library on the SD card

chaley · 11-04-2015, 11:32 AM

Sorry, no. CC uses its own database for everything, and it is the copy operation that fills in the database record.

It would in theory be possible to copy the metadata but associate the book file on the SD card with CC's book record. Unfortunately, doing so would require disabling CC's internal extension-based storage mechanism, its file naming mechanisms, and book deletion amongst other things. These bits are deeply baked into CC, and messing with them would be very dangerous and time consuming.

I know it is a bother, but you could copy a book you want to read and then delete it from CC when done (delete is in CC's book details panel). With this scheme you would have one or two books in CC's library at a time. You could even delete the book file while leaving CC's record, should you want some history of what you have done, possibly for syncing read information.

Alternatives:

Instead of using a third-party sync app to sync the library, use CC to do it and store the books on the SD card. This mechanism allows you to use CC's metadata sync, grouping and sorting mechanisms. CC users do this with libraries in excess of 10,000 books.
There used to be a free app called "leger calibre" that opened calibre libraries on stored on the device. The author removed the app from the play store for some reason. Regardless, the APK is still out there. It might work for you.
The Calibre Cloud Pro app claims to handle local libraries. I have no idea whether or not it makes copies.

11-04-2015, 11:32 AM	#2
chaley Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,452 Karma: 8012886 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Notts, England Device: Kobo Libra 2	Sorry, no. CC uses its own database for everything, and it is the copy operation that fills in the database record. It would in theory be possible to copy the metadata but associate the book file on the SD card with CC's book record. Unfortunately, doing so would require disabling CC's internal extension-based storage mechanism, its file naming mechanisms, and book deletion amongst other things. These bits are deeply baked into CC, and messing with them would be very dangerous and time consuming. I know it is a bother, but you could copy a book you want to read and then delete it from CC when done (delete is in CC's book details panel). With this scheme you would have one or two books in CC's library at a time. You could even delete the book file while leaving CC's record, should you want some history of what you have done, possibly for syncing read information. Alternatives: Instead of using a third-party sync app to sync the library, use CC to do it and store the books on the SD card. This mechanism allows you to use CC's metadata sync, grouping and sorting mechanisms. CC users do this with libraries in excess of 10,000 books. There used to be a free app called "leger calibre" that opened calibre libraries on stored on the device. The author removed the app from the play store for some reason. Regardless, the APK is still out there. It might work for you. The Calibre Cloud Pro app claims to handle local libraries. I have no idea whether or not it makes copies.