Sharing/Moving Calibre Library to 2nd PC

ereader22 · 11-15-2012, 04:39 PM

Hi,
I've been using calibre for quite a while on a single PC without problems. Now I have the following issue..My elderly parent, who live a long distance away have an ereader which I priously loaded my then existing calibre library. They have a PC, but no internet access. So as I gather new books, I add them to MY Calibre, and download the typ. Metadata (Cover etc.).

Now, I need to be able to send them a CD/DVD with newer books, to be incorporated into their local Calibre on their PC. Normally I would simply send them the basic (say epub or Mobi files) and they could ADD them to their Calibre. But, in that case, they would not have the metadata I d/l'd off the web.

As I read, calibre has a certain structure and also a database..so I assume a simple copying of files/folders is not the way to go? Can someone explain the easiest way to accomplish this task? In the end, it seems like a calibre function such as 1. Export an existing Library(etc) and 2. Merge that into the Library of the other Pc functionally describes the need. IDEAS Please!

mbovenka · 11-16-2012, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ereader22

In the end, it seems like a calibre function such as 1. Export an existing Library(etc) and 2. Merge that into the Library of the other Pc functionally describes the need. IDEAS Please!

Send them your library as is (just copy it to the CD/DVD), and have them add that library to their Calibre with ''Switch/create library...' -> 'Use the previously existing library at the new location'.

They can then copy books between the two libraries (yours and their own) as they wish, metadata and all.

They'll probably have to copy the stuff off the CD and set the files writable; I don't think Calibre can use a read-only library (it needs the metadata.db to be writable, IIRC). Sending them an USB stick might be easier if they aren't very computer-savvy; that will work without any fuss.

toomuchreading · 11-23-2012, 05:35 PM

Another option is to just replace their whole calibre library folder with yours, especially if you have all the books that they have added to their library. You would not need to do any merging, just replace their library with yours. You would have to make sure that you copied all files and folders, including the metadata file.
If they have books that they have added to their library, that you don't have, or they have some custom fields that they want to keep, then this won't work.

travger · 11-26-2012, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ereader22

Normally I would simply send them the basic (say epub or Mobi files) and they could ADD them to their Calibre. But, in that case, they would not have the metadata I d/l'd off the web.

Could be too much trouble with several hundred books, but it should work if you copy just the Calibre folder for every book. It has cover, metadata in opf file and formats. Of course both libraries MUST have EXACTLY the same structure, or some info in metadata will be lost. And I think first the .opf has to be added into Calibre and then formats and cover can be dragged into book details panel.

davidfor · 11-26-2012, 07:54 PM

Use Save to disk to get the books out of the library. This can update the book with the current metadata. There is an option in the preferences to control this. Also, if you are using epubs, get the Modify ePub plugin. This can write the metadata to the epub that is in the library.

11-15-2012, 04:39 PM	#1
ereader22 Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: nook simple color	Sharing/Moving Calibre Library to 2nd PC Hi, I've been using calibre for quite a while on a single PC without problems. Now I have the following issue..My elderly parent, who live a long distance away have an ereader which I priously loaded my then existing calibre library. They have a PC, but no internet access. So as I gather new books, I add them to MY Calibre, and download the typ. Metadata (Cover etc.). Now, I need to be able to send them a CD/DVD with newer books, to be incorporated into their local Calibre on their PC. Normally I would simply send them the basic (say epub or Mobi files) and they could ADD them to their Calibre. But, in that case, they would not have the metadata I d/l'd off the web. As I read, calibre has a certain structure and also a database..so I assume a simple copying of files/folders is not the way to go? Can someone explain the easiest way to accomplish this task? In the end, it seems like a calibre function such as 1. Export an existing Library(etc) and 2. Merge that into the Library of the other Pc functionally describes the need. IDEAS Please!

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11-23-2012, 05:35 PM	#3
toomuchreading Groupie Posts: 183 Karma: 1720 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada Device: PRS-T1, Kobo Libre Color	Another option is to just replace their whole calibre library folder with yours, especially if you have all the books that they have added to their library. You would not need to do any merging, just replace their library with yours. You would have to make sure that you copied all files and folders, including the metadata file. If they have books that they have added to their library, that you don't have, or they have some custom fields that they want to keep, then this won't work.

11-26-2012, 07:54 PM	#5
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	Use Save to disk to get the books out of the library. This can update the book with the current metadata. There is an option in the preferences to control this. Also, if you are using epubs, get the Modify ePub plugin. This can write the metadata to the epub that is in the library.