What are "Virtual Libraries"?

MarjaE · 05-11-2016, 02:45 AM

I'm used to using folders to organize my files. I'm not used to using libraries to organize them, and I've had bad experiences with some other apps using libraries.

I'm trying to keep things organized, and trying to sort out technical issues, so I thought I'd use separate libraries for some of the fiction I hadn't read and some of the fiction I had read, and others for other topics. I'd need the same columns, author sort settings, etc. in some of the libraries,

... But apparently Calibre isn't designed that way.

It's designed for one big library, with something called "virtual libraries" to split it into usable sections.

I've searched the Quickstart Guide. Nothing about "virtual libraries" showed up. Is it something that people who use libraries elsewhere use often?

What are virtual libraries, how would I set them up, and what are their limitations?

higgs · 05-11-2016, 05:08 AM

This might help - https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/virtual_libraries.html

Calibre can be used with separate libraries but for what you described I would recommend using Virtual Libraries.
More info on libraries here - https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/gui.html#library

theducks · 05-11-2016, 10:19 AM

VL's are simply subsets of libraries that could be kept separate (because their structure is identical in all other aspects), but by using VL's eliminates duplicates and other management issues. The book only exists once. A VL is a 'view'

Besides the Management effort savings, You can do anything on/with a VL, that you could on a Single Library. Saved Search,Tag just those in the 'active' Library (You will see an additional context menu item: ... To All Libraries)

MarjaE · 05-11-2016, 01:14 PM

Okay, thanks.

And I could create a column for "Library," and use that for the search, with #library:false for uncategorized books.

theducks · 05-11-2016, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarjaE

Okay, thanks.

And I could create a column for "Library," and use that for the search, with #library:false for uncategorized books.

You could, but...
Columns are structure changes. IMHO it is better to avoid a Structure change when another method is available.

In this case, a NOT (in) the normal VL, VL

shalym · 05-12-2016, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarjaE

Okay, thanks.

And I could create a column for "Library," and use that for the search, with #library:false for uncategorized books.

You could also create a virtual library based on a tag. Like...if you tag all of your books that are read as "read" you can do a search in Calibre for tags:"=read Once you have the results you're looking for, click on the "Virtual Library" button and choose "*current search". This will create a virtual library that will only contain books with the tag "read". If you want a virtual library that contains all fiction that is read, you can add another tag so that it's tags:"=read" and tags:"=fiction" and create your VL from that.

Shari

MarjaE · 05-18-2016, 09:24 PM

I can't figure out how to set one up for books which are neither "read," nor "partly read," (and given up on).

davidfor · 05-18-2016, 11:27 PM

If you are using tags to show the reading state, then just add a tag that describes it. You can have whatever you want. Something like; "currently reading" or "abandoned" could work. If you want more detail, you could have; "abandoned - kept falling asleep", "why on earth did I buy this rubbish" or "why on earth would anyone buy this rubbish" (though I'd probably use different words on the end of the last two).

MarjaE · 05-19-2016, 05:09 PM

Yes, but I'm trying to figure out how to define a virtual library for neither "read" nor "partly read."

I can define one for:

NOT =Read

But it breaks if I try to refine it to:

NOT =Read, NOT =Partly Read

higgs · 05-19-2016, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarjaE

Yes, but I'm trying to figure out how to define a virtual library for neither "read" nor "partly read."

I can define one for:

NOT =Read

But it breaks if I try to refine it to:

NOT =Read, NOT =Partly Read

Have you tried;
NOT = Read AND NOT =Partly Read

theducks · 05-19-2016, 05:41 PM

custom columns must use the lookup name which always start with a #
not #read or #partly

IIRC a lookup name can NOT have spaces

If I was doing thi: I would use a tri-state (mode) T/F field

Blank: not started
False/No: Not DONE (partly)
True: Done (Read)

MarjaE · 05-19-2016, 06:53 PM

I was using the tags column for this, so no # required. NOT Read AND NOT Abandoned works.

theducks · 05-19-2016, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarjaE

I was using the tags column for this, so no # required. NOT Read AND NOT Abandoned works.

not tags:read and not tags:"Partly Read" <notice the quotes because it has spaces

05-11-2016, 02:45 AM	#1
MarjaE Guru Posts: 937 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	What are "Virtual Libraries"? I'm used to using folders to organize my files. I'm not used to using libraries to organize them, and I've had bad experiences with some other apps using libraries. I'm trying to keep things organized, and trying to sort out technical issues, so I thought I'd use separate libraries for some of the fiction I hadn't read and some of the fiction I had read, and others for other topics. I'd need the same columns, author sort settings, etc. in some of the libraries, ... But apparently Calibre isn't designed that way. It's designed for one big library, with something called "virtual libraries" to split it into usable sections. I've searched the Quickstart Guide. Nothing about "virtual libraries" showed up. Is it something that people who use libraries elsewhere use often? What are virtual libraries, how would I set them up, and what are their limitations?

05-11-2016, 05:08 AM	#2
higgs Connoisseur Posts: 77 Karma: 149999 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ireland Device: Kobo Glo, Kobo Touch, Kindle PW3	This might help - https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/virtual_libraries.html Calibre can be used with separate libraries but for what you described I would recommend using Virtual Libraries. More info on libraries here - https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/gui.html#library Last edited by higgs; 05-11-2016 at 05:10 AM.

05-18-2016, 09:24 PM	#7
MarjaE Guru Posts: 937 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	I can't figure out how to set one up for books which are neither "read," nor "partly read," (and given up on). Last edited by MarjaE; 05-18-2016 at 09:32 PM.

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05-11-2016, 10:19 AM	#3
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,043 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	VL's are simply subsets of libraries that could be kept separate (because their structure is identical in all other aspects), but by using VL's eliminates duplicates and other management issues. The book only exists once. A VL is a 'view' Besides the Management effort savings, You can do anything on/with a VL, that you could on a Single Library. Saved Search,Tag just those in the 'active' Library (You will see an additional context menu item: ... To All Libraries)

05-11-2016, 01:14 PM	#4
MarjaE Guru Posts: 937 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	Okay, thanks. And I could create a column for "Library," and use that for the search, with #library:false for uncategorized books.

05-18-2016, 11:27 PM	#8
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,905 Karma: 47303824 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	If you are using tags to show the reading state, then just add a tag that describes it. You can have whatever you want. Something like; "currently reading" or "abandoned" could work. If you want more detail, you could have; "abandoned - kept falling asleep", "why on earth did I buy this rubbish" or "why on earth would anyone buy this rubbish" (though I'd probably use different words on the end of the last two).

05-19-2016, 05:09 PM	#9
MarjaE Guru Posts: 937 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	Yes, but I'm trying to figure out how to define a virtual library for neither "read" nor "partly read." I can define one for: NOT =Read But it breaks if I try to refine it to: NOT =Read, NOT =Partly Read

05-19-2016, 05:41 PM	#11
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,043 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	custom columns must use the lookup name which always start with a # not #read or #partly IIRC a lookup name can NOT have spaces If I was doing thi: I would use a tri-state (mode) T/F field Blank: not started False/No: Not DONE (partly) True: Done (Read)

05-19-2016, 06:53 PM	#12
MarjaE Guru Posts: 937 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	I was using the tags column for this, so no # required. NOT Read AND NOT Abandoned works.

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