Copying multiple physical libraries from Mac to RPi

mdclanahan · 03-08-2020, 01:21 PM

I have multiple Calibre libraries (about seven) on my Mac Mini. I have copied all of the library folders to an external drive. Each folder has its own metadata.db along with all of the books contained in that particular library.

I'm having some trouble figuring out how to recreate the libraries in Calibre on the RPi. Basically, I want to be able to recreate the libraries with the same names they had on my Mac Mini and then just point each library at the appropriate folder. I can do this with one library, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to get it to work for all the rest.

Advice greatly appreciated!

mdclanahan

mdclanahan · 03-08-2020, 01:23 PM

Also, I'm trying to do this by copying folders because I initially tried using the export feature in Calibre on the Mac, but that seemed to remove the library from Calibre on the Mac. I want to keep the library on the Mac, but make a replica of it on the RPi.

JSWolf · 03-08-2020, 01:42 PM

Copy the library directory to a USB memory stick and then you can plug that into the RPi and get it from there.

theducks · 03-08-2020, 02:25 PM

Export (the one on Calibre Library Icon) DOES NOT remove the Library.

Copying The ENTIRE Library folder is good.

the folder name will be the Library name (once you Switch/Create: use existing)
Remember to copy the configuration folder. Notr: you may need to re-link the Libraries using Create/Switch at their new home

mdclanahan · 03-08-2020, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Export (the one on Calibre Library Icon) DOES NOT remove the Library.

Copying The ENTIRE Library folder is good.

the folder name will be the Library name (once you Switch/Create: use existing)
Remember to copy the configuration folder. Notr: you may need to re-link the Libraries using Create/Switch at their new home

This worked. Thanks!

JSWolf · 03-08-2020, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Export (the one on Calibre Library Icon) DOES NOT remove the Library.

Copying The ENTIRE Library folder is good.

the folder name will be the Library name (once you Switch/Create: use existing)
Remember to copy the configuration folder. Notr: you may need to re-link the Libraries using Create/Switch at their new home

It's not good to copy he entire DIRECTORY when you only have to copy the modified/new files. FreeFileSync is the solution.

mdclanahan · 03-08-2020, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

It's not good to copy he entire DIRECTORY when you only have to copy the modified/new files. FreeFileSync is the solution.

Thanks for this! I'm looking into it now. Would I really only need this installed on the computer I'm copying from, or do I need it installed on the Raspberry Pi I'm copying to as well?

DNSB · 03-08-2020, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdclanahan

Thanks for this! I'm looking into it now. Would I really only need this installed on the computer I'm copying from, or do I need it installed on the Raspberry Pi I'm copying to as well?

I haven't used the Linux version of FreeFileSync in a while but I don't think it came in an ARM flavour from the FreeFileSync site. At the time I was looking at it, some people had compiled it for use on a Raspberry Pi. A quick search found trying to compile for raspberrypi which may help you.

It might be easier to use rsync on both sides. I used Homebrew to update the antique version of rsync on Mac OSX Mojave running in a VM when I was playing with it. See How to update Rsync on Mac OS Mojave and High Sierra for the procedure I used.

mdclanahan · 03-08-2020, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

I haven't used the Linux version of FreeFileSync in a while but I don't think it came in an ARM flavour from the FreeFileSync site. At the time I was looking at it, some people had compiled it for use on a Raspberry Pi. A quick search found trying to compile for raspberrypi which may help you.

It might be easier to use rsync on both sides. I used Homebrew to update the antique version of rsync on Mac OSX Mojave running in a VM when I was playing with it. See How to update Rsync on Mac OS Mojave and High Sierra for the procedure I used.

Thanks! This could definitely be helpful, too. Since I'm storing the library that the Pi hosts on an external drive, It's easy enough to only run FreeFileSync on the Mac to mirror/one-way sync my Mac libraries to the external drive, then point the Pi at those folders without any extra Linux packages.

03-08-2020, 01:21 PM	#1
mdclanahan Connoisseur Posts: 79 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Missouri, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPad 6th Gen	Copying multiple physical libraries from Mac to RPi I have multiple Calibre libraries (about seven) on my Mac Mini. I have copied all of the library folders to an external drive. Each folder has its own metadata.db along with all of the books contained in that particular library. I'm having some trouble figuring out how to recreate the libraries in Calibre on the RPi. Basically, I want to be able to recreate the libraries with the same names they had on my Mac Mini and then just point each library at the appropriate folder. I can do this with one library, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to get it to work for all the rest. Advice greatly appreciated! mdclanahan

03-08-2020, 01:23 PM	#2
mdclanahan Connoisseur Posts: 79 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Missouri, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPad 6th Gen	Also, I'm trying to do this by copying folders because I initially tried using the export feature in Calibre on the Mac, but that seemed to remove the library from Calibre on the Mac. I want to keep the library on the Mac, but make a replica of it on the RPi. Last edited by mdclanahan; 03-09-2020 at 01:51 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Multiple Calibre Libraries on Mac OS X	Starganderfish	Calibre	4	02-09-2025 03:21 PM
Copying between libraries	mdclanahan	Calibre	1	01-03-2020 10:15 PM
Multiple libraries on portable device run from multiple computers	amagrace	Library Management	7	10-31-2018 12:00 AM
Permissible Copying of Physical Book	murg	General Discussions	124	06-24-2015 06:32 AM
Updating Libraries copying only new books	fiacca	Library Management	7	08-29-2013 03:06 AM

03-08-2020, 01:42 PM	#3
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,528 Karma: 145863177 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Copy the library directory to a USB memory stick and then you can plug that into the RPi and get it from there.

03-08-2020, 02:25 PM	#4
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 30,978 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Export (the one on Calibre Library Icon) DOES NOT remove the Library. Copying The ENTIRE Library folder is good. the folder name will be the Library name (once you Switch/Create: use existing) Remember to copy the configuration folder. Notr: you may need to re-link the Libraries using Create/Switch at their new home

Advert

Advert