Library missing from list BUT folder still there...

[ilovereading.com]

Hi all

A little help needed please.

NB I am a basic/intermediate Calibre user but am not familliar with using code of any type.

Due to the size of my library, last year I started seperating all my books into seperate libraries. All was fine, but two days ago two of my libraries dissapeared from the LIBRARY tab in the toolbar. I noticed this as I was trying to view one of said libraries.

I looked at the MY CALIBRE file on my pc and the two library files are there! so why are they not accessible now?

So I tried to re-add the books in one of the libraries (by using the "Add books from directories, including sub-directories (Multiple books per directory, assumes every ebook file is a different book):" option) and every title told me that it was already in calibre.

Thanks in advance for any help, please let me know if there is any other info needed.




Needlesss to say I am confused.

[theducks]

Add Books from an INTACT library is not the way to go if all you want is to get it back on the Quick Switch list.

It appears that your Calibre preferences became corrupt (where these kinds of things are saved)

All you need to do is reattach Calibre to the lost Libraries.

On the Library Icon: Right click: Switch/create: Use Existing: <Navigate to the Lost Library folder that has metadata.db>

Repeat as needed for additional libraries

[ilovereading.com]

Hi

Thx so much for your reply. I'm still unsure though. You say

"On the Library Icon: Right click: Switch/create: Use Existing: <Navigate to the Lost Library folder that has metadata.db>"

but I can only do this if already in an existing library (ie my READ books). When I then go to the menu option you specified, which when it's opened is called "Choose your Calibre Library", the first thing that it tells me is

"your calibre library is currently located at >filepath<"

and I have to then choose/browse for a new location. When I browse my main CALIBRE library file, I have all my individuals folders displayed incl. the two that are missing from the QUICK SWITCH LIST... So what do I need to choose at this point?

There is both a metadata and a metadata_db_prefs_backup.json file in my main CALIBRE folder under all my individual library folders, and in some but not all of the folders. The two problematic ones are called Main which has both files included, and Priorities which only has a metadata so they are not even the same...

Thx again!

[theducks]

Are you confusing a Virtual Library (a subset) with a real Library?

Every Real Library has a metadata.db in its folder (plus author folders). The containing folder is the Library Name.


If you only find 1 folder with Metadata.db:
1)and you see Author folders, but no DB, then the Library has been Damaged and needs to be rebuilt following the tips in the FAQ

2)You cant even find the author folders:
a) The drive was removable or is off-line (blocked?).

b) You failed to heed FAQ advice and used a cloud or Network drive that has become unavailable. Working Library on Local drives only. Backups any place as long as they are not active during Library use.

c)The Library (folder)has been DELETED at the OS (or your file system rights were removed) (I remember someone had the Library folder on the desktop (not a shortcut) and the desktop got cleaned

[ilovereading.com]

Was not confusing with a virtual library.

Thx again though. Problem now (very easily!) solved.