Two Libraries with Same Name, but it's the same library

RedCanyoneer · 05-04-2023, 08:25 PM

I have a pretty extensive Calibre library that behaves very well. But there's one odd thing.

The library named "Calibre Library" has all my books. But when I switch libraries to the library named "Calibre Library" (same name), only one book shows up. This book is in the first library.

When I go to download books to my iPhone from Marvin, once I connect, it shows two "Calibre Library" options. One with all my books, the other with just the one.

I did try creating a new library in a new folder location from the "Caliber Library" with all the books, but it exhibits the same behavior.

What happened? And how can I get rid of the one-book library?

theducks · 05-04-2023, 09:39 PM

The folder is also the Library name.
Somewhere along the line, you relinked to a lost Library (path change?).

Note: If Calibre can't find the 'last used' Library, and it can't find the default name, it will create it

Having 2 with the same name is not fun.
Switch to the 1 book: then right click the Library icon: Remove Library: Calibre Library
Only non-active show up
This only deletes the Link. It does not touch the folders.
Now Using the O/S explorer. Find the real Library (search for Metadata.db. the one with author folders is what you want). Rename that Parent Calibre Library -> <something else. eg Main>.
Back in Calibre, now relink
Right click the library icon: Create/Switch:Use existing:<point it to the new named folder>

RedCanyoneer · 05-05-2023, 06:55 PM

Well, I figured it out, I think.

I tried your steps, and it didn't seem to work. I did manage to rename the main library, which helped me figure it out.

I was able to figure out where the files for the mystery library were located. So I deleted them, and when I opened Calibre again, it gave me a message to forget the old library, which I did. I then opened the main library. I may have glossed over a couple of steps since I didn't write them down as I did them, but that's the gist.

Thanks for your help, it pointed me in the right direction.

05-04-2023, 08:25 PM	#1
RedCanyoneer Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: iPad 2	Two Libraries with Same Name, but it's the same library I have a pretty extensive Calibre library that behaves very well. But there's one odd thing. The library named "Calibre Library" has all my books. But when I switch libraries to the library named "Calibre Library" (same name), only one book shows up. This book is in the first library. When I go to download books to my iPhone from Marvin, once I connect, it shows two "Calibre Library" options. One with all my books, the other with just the one. I did try creating a new library in a new folder location from the "Caliber Library" with all the books, but it exhibits the same behavior. What happened? And how can I get rid of the one-book library?

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05-04-2023, 09:39 PM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,047 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	The folder is also the Library name. Somewhere along the line, you relinked to a lost Library (path change?). Note: If Calibre can't find the 'last used' Library, and it can't find the default name, it will create it Having 2 with the same name is not fun. Switch to the 1 book: then right click the Library icon: Remove Library: Calibre Library Only non-active show up This only deletes the Link. It does not touch the folders. Now Using the O/S explorer. Find the real Library (search for Metadata.db. the one with author folders is what you want). Rename that Parent Calibre Library -> <something else. eg Main>. Back in Calibre, now relink Right click the library icon: Create/Switch:Use existing:<point it to the new named folder>

05-05-2023, 06:55 PM	#3
RedCanyoneer Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: iPad 2	Well, I figured it out, I think. I tried your steps, and it didn't seem to work. I did manage to rename the main library, which helped me figure it out. I was able to figure out where the files for the mystery library were located. So I deleted them, and when I opened Calibre again, it gave me a message to forget the old library, which I did. I then opened the main library. I may have glossed over a couple of steps since I didn't write them down as I did them, but that's the gist. Thanks for your help, it pointed me in the right direction.

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