Genre Management in Calibre

Alain67 · 05-05-2026, 05:48 AM

I'm using Calibre 9.8.0 and I'm looking to do the following:
• Automatically update the genres in my Calibre library so that every book has a proper genre assigned. I’d like to be able to manually correct a few entries if necessary.
• Configure my Vivlio InkPad 4 ereader to allow filtering by shelf (or bookshelf), and make adding new books as seamless as possible.
• Since I have more than 1,000 books, manually editing them one by one in Calibre isn’t really feasible.
• Is it possible to achieve this with the Kobo or PocketBook plugins? I think it is, but I’m not sure how to proceed.

Alain (French)

Calibre plugin.docx

Sirtel · 05-05-2026, 10:45 AM

Device plugins don't assign genres to the books in your calibre library - you'll have to do that yourself. The Kobo driver can sort calibre-sent books on your Kobo into genres (or any shelves based on calibre columns) automatically, if the library copy has that information, but I don't think it works with your Vivlio. Whether the Pocketbook driver or any Pocketbook plugins can do that, I have no idea.

There's no way to add genres to your calibre books (assuming you want a custom genre column) other than manually, I'm afraid.

theducks · 05-05-2026, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alain67

I'm using Calibre 9.8.0 and I'm looking to do the following:
• Automatically update the genres in my Calibre library so that every book has a proper genre assigned. I’d like to be able to manually correct a few entries if necessary.
• Configure my Vivlio InkPad 4 ereader to allow filtering by shelf (or bookshelf), and make adding new books as seamless as possible.
• Since I have more than 1,000 books, manually editing them one by one in Calibre isn’t really feasible.
• Is it possible to achieve this with the Kobo or PocketBook plugins? I think it is, but I’m not sure how to proceed.

Alain (French)

Attachment 223118

MDE
Your eyeball and calibre sorting can aid in BULK MODE assignments. You do dnot need to do 1 by 1 for all of your books.

Tarana · 05-08-2026, 11:28 AM

I have roughly 5,000 ebooks in my calibre library. You have to manually assign genres. You can bulk authors, but that's about as much as you can do without book by book. Seems daunting, but just turn on music you haven't listened to for awhile and plug away on it. I did 75% of mine while on hold.

JSWolf · 05-08-2026, 01:59 PM

If you get a Kobo Reader, you could use the subtitle field (in the Kobo) to store genres.

Sirtel · 05-08-2026, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If you get a Kobo Reader, you could use the subtitle field (in the Kobo) to store genres.

Or automatic collections based on the genre column.

05-05-2026, 05:48 AM	#1
Alain67 Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2026 Device: Vivlio inkpad 4	Genre Management in Calibre I'm using Calibre 9.8.0 and I'm looking to do the following: • Automatically update the genres in my Calibre library so that every book has a proper genre assigned. I’d like to be able to manually correct a few entries if necessary. • Configure my Vivlio InkPad 4 ereader to allow filtering by shelf (or bookshelf), and make adding new books as seamless as possible. • Since I have more than 1,000 books, manually editing them one by one in Calibre isn’t really feasible. • Is it possible to achieve this with the Kobo or PocketBook plugins? I think it is, but I’m not sure how to proceed. Alain (French) Calibre plugin.docx

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05-05-2026, 10:45 AM	#2
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 15,102 Karma: 247565725 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	Device plugins don't assign genres to the books in your calibre library - you'll have to do that yourself. The Kobo driver can sort calibre-sent books on your Kobo into genres (or any shelves based on calibre columns) automatically, if the library copy has that information, but I don't think it works with your Vivlio. Whether the Pocketbook driver or any Pocketbook plugins can do that, I have no idea. There's no way to add genres to your calibre books (assuming you want a custom genre column) other than manually, I'm afraid.

05-08-2026, 11:28 AM	#4
Tarana Wizard Posts: 4,103 Karma: 38843852 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minneapolis Device: PWSE, Voyage, K3, HDX, KBasic 7 & 8, Nook Glo3, Echos, Nanos	I have roughly 5,000 ebooks in my calibre library. You have to manually assign genres. You can bulk authors, but that's about as much as you can do without book by book. Seems daunting, but just turn on music you haven't listened to for awhile and plug away on it. I did 75% of mine while on hold.

05-08-2026, 01:59 PM	#5
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 83,294 Karma: 153646249 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If you get a Kobo Reader, you could use the subtitle field (in the Kobo) to store genres.

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