Merging Multiple Libraries

[TDReader]

I have been using Calibre for nearly a year, and am delighted with it.

Initially I used it only on my desktop computer, but when that was having some upgrades I installed Calibre on my laptop, and over a few weeks downloaded a number of ebooks to the Laptop and thence to my Sony PRS-650.

Now the desktop is back in service I would like to merge the two libraries into a single library, initially using a memory stick to synchronise two versions of the new library between the laptop & the desktop using GoodSync v 8.6.9

In due course I may move to GoodSync 9+ which will allow synchronisation of two computers directly, via local network or Internet.

Would a solution be to download the ebooks from the smaller library & then re-upload to the larger library?

Will synchronisation using GoodSync work ? If not is there another solution ?

New user - please be gentle!

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by TDReader

I have been using Calibre for nearly a year, and am delighted with it.

Initially I used it only on my desktop computer, but when that was having some upgrades I installed Calibre on my laptop, and over a few weeks downloaded a number of ebooks to the Laptop and thence to my Sony PRS-650.

Now the desktop is back in service I would like to merge the two libraries into a single library, initially using a memory stick to synchronise two versions of the new library between the laptop & the desktop using GoodSync v 8.6.9

In due course I may move to GoodSync 9+ which will allow synchronisation of two computers directly, via local network or Internet.

Would a solution be to download the ebooks from the smaller library & then re-upload to the larger library?

Will synchronisation using GoodSync work ? If not is there another solution ?

New user - please be gentle!

I have no familiarity with GoodSync, so can't comment on it. But there are perfectly good free ways to do this. Personally, I use RoboCopy (included in Windows 7, and available as a free download for early versions of Windows)

First, getting the books from the smaller library to the larger. You don't specify what your operating system is, but I'm assuming we have network connectivity. Open the larger library in Calibre, and then use the Add button to add books from the smaller one. If you're running Windows, then mapping the hard disk of each of your computers to a drive letter on your other computer might simplify this.

[Manichean]

An alternative way of doing this depends on you having opened both libraries on one computer. Once you've done that, you should be able to use Calibre's context menu to copy books from one library to another.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by TDReader

I have been using Calibre for nearly a year, and am delighted with it.

Initially I used it only on my desktop computer, but when that was having some upgrades I installed Calibre on my laptop, and over a few weeks downloaded a number of ebooks to the Laptop and thence to my Sony PRS-650.

Now the desktop is back in service I would like to merge the two libraries into a single library, initially using a memory stick to synchronise two versions of the new library between the laptop & the desktop using GoodSync v 8.6.9

In due course I may move to GoodSync 9+ which will allow synchronisation of two computers directly, via local network or Internet.

Would a solution be to download the ebooks from the smaller library & then re-upload to the larger library?

Will synchronisation using GoodSync work ? If not is there another solution ?

New user - please be gentle!

IMHO The best way to add 2 'good' libraries, is to allw Calibre to merge them into a selected one:

Always shut Calibre completely down on to computer being copied FROM.
There should never be two computers accessing the same Library at any one time.

If you can do a Local Network 'share' (your desktop can see files on your laptop).
'Share' your laptop Library folder (if not all ready viewable from the Desktop PC)



Use the arrow alongside the Library Icon to Create/Switch to <your Laptop Library folder>
takes a few moments
Select All (books) use the little box at the top of the row numbers.
Right-click (in the list): Copy to Library <your main Library>
takes a bit of time


If you cant get a 'Share' connection: Sneaker-Net it.
Copy the Laptop Library folder to a External Drive (USB,Disk...),
then carry it over to the Desktop PC

Follow the copy instructions above. It just takes longer this way

[Manichean]

Originally Posted by theducks

It just takes longer this way

Never underestimate the bandwidth of a trolley filled with storage media.

[TDReader]

theducks



Very many thanks -it worked perfectly.

Another question will I mess things up if I now change the name of the target folder, which now has 300+ ebooks in it? I do of course have it backed up.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by TDReader

theducks



Very many thanks -it worked perfectly.

Another question will I mess things up if I now change the name of the target folder, which now has 300+ ebooks in it? I do of course have it backed up.

Same Menu
Rename Library <---