Move Multiple Libraries to New Computer

[Ferretqueen]

My current Calibre collection is broken into several libraries - Read, Main, Fiction, Non-Fiction. I have a new, faster computer - I moved all my libraries onto the new Computer. I have set up Calibre, and have connected my Main library. BUT how do I connect / import the other libraries????

[itimpi]

If the library folders have been moved to the new computer then it is probably just a case of telling Calibre about them.

If you click on the 'Library' icon on the main toolbar you get the option to switch to a new library. You can browse to where the library folder is located; make sure that the option to use an existing library at that location is ticked and then open the library. That will add that as a new entry to the quick Switch list of libraries.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Ferretqueen

My current Calibre collection is broken into several libraries - Read, Main, Fiction, Non-Fiction. I have a new, faster computer - I moved all my libraries onto the new Computer. I have set up Calibre, and have connected my Main library. BUT how do I connect / import the other libraries????

Do you wish to 'Merge' these libraries or just use them asis?

[Ferretqueen]

Hmmm, thank you itimpi. I had thought if I used that option I would lose my other library. That saves me much time. I would however like to learn how to merge some libraries, theducks.
Much thanks to you both for "being there".

[BetterRed]

@Ferretqueen - use the right click->Copy to library feature to merge existing libraries onto a "New Mega" library.

You might want to experiment by copying a subset of each library into "New Mega" to get a feel for a combined library. Avoid the (delete after copy) unless you are really sure.

BR

[theducks]

Do understand, that the ability to merge (without loss) requires any custom columns used, exist exactly with the same properties in the destination.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by theducks

Do understand, that the ability to merge (without loss) requires any custom columns used, exist exactly with the same properties in the destination.

An enhancement to the Copy to library feature was added to help take care of that - see screen shot and Release: 1.4 [20 Sep, 2013] - What's new.

BR

[Ferretqueen]

Much appreciated all. I will venture into "the merge".

BetterRed,
"@Ferretqueen - use the right click->Copy to library feature to merge existing libraries onto a "New Mega" library. "
I failed.... No idea where I should right mouse click! Would you please give me a little more detail.

A small question. As I am setting up Calibre on a new Computer, is there a way to save all preferences on Computer A, and then transfer them to load into Calibre on Computer B, to save me going through everything again?

My thanks.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by Ferretqueen

Much appreciated all. I will venture into "the merge".

BetterRed,
"@Ferretqueen - use the right click->Copy to library feature to merge existing libraries onto a "New Mega" library. "
I failed.... No idea where I should right mouse click! Would you please give me a little more detail.

A small question. As I am setting up Calibre on a new Computer, is there a way to save all preferences on Computer A, and then transfer them to load into Calibre on Computer B, to save me going through everything again?

My thanks.

I'll answer the small question first

Start calibre on old computer, click Preferences->Miscellaneous->Open Configuration Directory that should open up a folder something like

C:\Users\BetterRed\AppData\Roaming\calibre

(it will be a bit different of your old computer is XP)

You need to copy the entire contents of that folder into the corresponding location on your new computer, to find out where that is do the same thing. Replace what's there in its entirety.

When you copy the config to the new computer make sure calibre is NOT running.

===================================
Merge Libraries

Create a new library called say 'TestLibrary'

Now Open one of your existing libraries and select say 10-15 books, right click the selected books and you should see a context menu with a Copy to Library-> item, click it and you'll get a flyout menu with two options for each of your other libraries - one which does a copy, and another that does a copy and then a delete - click the one for TestLibrary - ie the one without the delete . See screen shot

If you have any custom columns, it will ask if you want them in the TestLibrary - tick them all - see my previous post for a screen shot. If you now go to the TestLibrary the books will there.

Repeat for the other Libraries.

If you tag the books with with the current library name (ie Main, Fiction, Read etc) before you copy them then in the merged library you can easily create corresponding Virtual Libraries.

The main advantage of a merged library is that you can see all your books and include them all in searches.

Once you decided which libraries you want to merge, I suggest you throw out the TestLibrary and create a fresh library.

BR