Culling my library

[tomtc]

Hi - long time user of Calibre but first time poster to the forum.

I am trying to reduce my library footprint of 15gb down to about 13gb (to fit onto a 16gb memory stick), but here is my problem:
If I delete books from the library (just by deleting from within the programme) that only removes the reference in the DB - not actually physically taking anything out of the underlying files - yes? If so, how do I match those I wish to delete (from identifying them within the programme) to a removal from the library to reduce my size? The only way I can see is a two-step remove from DB and then find them again in the library and delete the folder/ file. This is a huge undertaking to get the 2gb I am looking for. Am I missing something?
btw - I know that a part of my two-step can be avoided by rebuilding the DB, but the biggest problem still remains.

any assistance appreciated

[alanHd]

Calibre will delete the books not just the reference in the Library.(I have never had it do anything else)

What I did when I faced your situation was to split my library across two memory sticks.

I made a blank Library on another memory stick and copied the books I wanted onto that.

Now if I want to use those books I just plug both sticks in and switch Library.

[tomtc]

Thanks alanHD. Strange but my experience was different. When I 'removed' the book the file was still there when I checked. Will experiment cos you could be right and I've confused myself. Cheers for the assistance and tip.

[tomtc]

Doh! You are correct. It does all go. I must have had duplicate files from some previous iteration - there was a time before fully understood the file structure and how books were added when I had been putting books straight into the folder thinking Calibre would pick them up somehow. I know...I know. Thought I had cleared that all out but perhaps not.

cheers again

I have another query - hopefully a sensible one this time, but I will post it separately

[Divingduck]

Then it is may be a good idea to check the library database and use the results as a working list.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Divingduck

Then it is may be a good idea to check the library database and use the results as a working list.

This finds ERRORS, but not duplicated entries (books).

to the 'just split onto 2 memory sticks idea. You can pick the logic on what to split off to the other stick.

[Adoby]

Or get a 32 or 64 GB USB memory... 8)

Still, it is good to remove orphaned copies from the library.

[kacir]

Originally Posted by tomtc

Doh! You are correct. It does all go. I must have had duplicate files from some previous iteration - there was a time before fully understood the file structure and how books were added when I had been putting books straight into the folder thinking Calibre would pick them up somehow. I know...I know. Thought I had cleared that all out but perhaps not.

So just export the library to a new library and only books with valid database entry will get copied (or moved).

Then switch on the "Size" column, sort by size and remove the largest books, or at least have a look at them and remove un-needed formats. You might have the same book in several formats, such as mobi and epub. You only need one of those on the card.

[BetterRed]

@tomtc - If you have multiple formats consider whether or not you need them.

BR

[tomtc]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

@tomtc - If you have multiple formats consider whether or not you need them.

BR

Ah! Thats a good point. How do I identify those for which I have multiple formats...and, then (given that could be thousands of titles) is there a way of batch removing a format across them all? I can't just remove all 'mobi' for example cos in many instances that's all I've got. It would need to be where I was sure of the comfort of having at least one useful format (I would prefer not to be stuck will PDF's as my only format for any book - unless its the only one I already have)

[chaley]

Originally Posted by tomtc

Ah! Thats a good point. How do I identify those for which I have multiple formats...and, then (given that could be thousands of titles) is there a way of batch removing a format across them all?

The search

formats:#>1

will give you a list of books with more than one format.

Given a list of books, you can remove a specific format by selecting all the books then do one of
- opening Edit Metadata (Multiple) and choosing the option to "Remove format", a drop down box around 2/3rds the way down the basic metadata page.
- clicking on the down arrow on the remove books toolbar icon and choosing "Remove files of a specific format from selected books"

As always, be sure to make a backup before doing the removals in case a slight slip deletes something you don't want deleted.

[tomtc]

Thanks Chaley - that looks exactly what I'm looking for! Will give that a go.

Thanks again!

As a general point, as a newby to the forum its much appreciated that you are not made to feel like an idiot for asking how to do something - unlike in many supposed support forums where you are treated like an imbecile for not already being an expert

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by tomtc

Thanks Chaley - that looks exactly what I'm looking for! Will give that a go.

Thanks again!

As a general point, as a newby to the forum its much appreciated that you are not made to feel like an idiot for asking how to do something - unlike in many supposed support forums where you are treated like an imbecile for not already being an expert

@tomtc - In particular I recommend you also take up Divingduck's suggestion - to run the Check Library process, see post https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...38&postcount=5

Whilst it's good to have a small library, it's even better to have one without any anomalies

BR

[tomtc]

Thanks to those who assisted. I ran the 'formats:#>1' search and removed duplicate formats (I chose the epubs as I have a kindle). Reduced my library to a more manageable 11gb. Have also took Divingduck's suggestion of a library check and I'm happy to say its looking good now.

Cheers again to those who assisted!