New Install of Calibre - My Libraries Not There!

[TheArtfulDodger]

Hello, All:

This has likely been discussed someplace but as I couldn't find it (I don't know what it would be listed under) I decided to ask the question.

I was forced to renew Windows 8.1.2 so my library is still present (a root folder plus five sub-folders) but I had to re-install the program. When it asked for the name/location of the library, I provided the root library location, expecting the program to find the sub-folders. It didn't and now the only library I have is the root folder.

How do I add the remaining folders (libraries)? If I click on "Switch/Create" the three choices imply that something gets changed - all I want is to add the additional libraries.

I would be most appreciative if someone could explain/point me to the explanation of how to do that.

Thanks in advance.

Sparky

[itimpi]

I am not sure that you pointed Calibre to the right folder!

A Calibre library folder will always have a metadata.db file at the top level, and then sub-folders for each author within that library. Does the folder that you pointed Calibre to have that layout?

[eschwartz]

Switch/create will allow you to link new libraries.

A library contains the db and a number of author folders as itimpi described.

It sounds like you have a "Calibre Libraries" folder or some such, containing e.g. "library1", "library2", etc. "Calibre Libraries" is NOT a library, and calibre will not sense the librarie in that folder automatically. It will create a brand new library instead, which is what you don't want. You must use Create/switch library to add each one individually.

[eschwartz]

For future reference, you may wish to back up the APPDATA folder, and specifically the calibre configuration folder, to preserve your settings before switching or restoring a computer.

http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq....o-i-backup-app

[TheArtfulDodger]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Switch/create will allow you to link new libraries.

A library contains the db and a number of author folders as itimpi described.

It sounds like you have a "Calibre Libraries" folder or some such, containing e.g. "library1", "library2", etc. "Calibre Libraries" is NOT a library, and calibre will not sense the librarie in that folder automatically. It will create a brand new library instead, which is what you don't want. You must use Create/switch library to add each one individually.

Everything you say is absolutely true! So, NOW, the "Calibre Libraries" DOES have a metadata.db file in it! But obviously no books.

So, how to proceed from here. You say to use Create/Switch to add the others - which of the selections do I use? There's a choice of "Use the previously existing library at the new location"; "Create an empty library at the new location" [I don't think I want this one!]; or "Move the current library to new location" [This one doesn't sound right either!]. I guess if the first choice read "Add an already existing library" I would have tried it but the wording kinda scares me!

For my future reference, how should I have proceeded once I have freshly installed Calibre after a fresh install?

Thanks for the help.

Sparky

[theducks]

Since you have Existing Libraries (Libraries have their own Metadata.db)

Use existing at New (lost/forgotten?) Location

[eschwartz]

"Use the previously existing library at the new location"

As you can see:



"new location" is a reference to the location you choose.

1. Assume the "new location" is a pre-existing library, and use it. Add it to the list of libraries.
2. Assume the "new location" is an empty folder, create an empty library there.
3. Assume the "new location" is an empty folder, move the current library there.

To be honest, I have never loved the wording myself.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by TheArtfulDodger

For my future reference, how should I have proceeded once I have freshly installed Calibre after a fresh install?

Thanks for the help.

Sparky

The best way really is to backup the %APPDATA%\calibre folder which contains the configuration info. That way, your library list is preserved. (If the libraries were manually moved to a different location, it will prompt you that the library cannot be found, select the new location or click "forget".)

Assuming you only moved over the libraries themselves, the only way is to manually select them the way I just showed you.

During the setup wizard, you can of course select any one of your libraries... and most people only have one.