Calibre-Web

If you love managing your eBook collection and prefer keeping your data private, then Calibre-Web is a must-have in your selfhosting stack. Based on the popular open-source eBook application Calibre, Calibre-Web is a powerful web-based interface that allows you to browse, read, and manage your eBook library right from your browser.

What is Calibre-Web?

Calibre-Web is essentially a web frontend for an existing Calibre database. It provides users with a clean, browser-based interface to read, download, and organize eBooks. With user management, download support, and integration with Kindle devices, it’s a great project for book lovers and selfhosting enthusiasts alike.

Setting up Calibre-Web with Docker

Thanks to the great folks over at LinuxServer.io, running Calibre-Web in Docker is straightforward. Their well-maintained Docker image includes everything you need to get started quickly and securely.

Docker Compose File

You can find an example Compose file and documentation at the official page: https://docs.linuxserver.io/images/docker-calibre-web

version: "2.1"
services:
  calibre-web:
    image: lscr.io/linuxserver/calibre-web
    container_name: calibre-web
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - TZ=Europe/London
      - DOCKER_MODS=linuxserver/calibre-web:calibre
    volumes:
      - /path/to/calibre/data:/config
      - /path/to/your/books:/books
    ports:
      - 8083:8083
    restart: unless-stopped

Note: Make sure to replace /path/to/calibre/data and /path/to/your/books with the actual paths on your server.

Features of Calibre-Web

• Full Calibre database integration
• User authentication and administration
• Responsive and mobile-friendly design
• Read books directly in the browser (PDF, ePub)
• OPDS support for Kindle and other eReaders
• Custom column support from your Calibre library

Usage Basics

Once your container is up and running, navigate to http://your-server-ip:8083. You’ll be prompted to connect your Calibre database on first launch. Simply point to the metadata.db file inside your mounted /books directory.

From there you can configure users, upload new books, and start curating your eLibrary with ease. If you’re syncing with eReaders like Kindle, the OPDS feed makes that process seamless and convenient.

Final Thoughts

Calibre-Web is a fantastic tool that brings the powerful features of Calibre into a modern web environment. It’s lightweight, actively maintained, and integrates perfectly into most selfhosted setups. Whether you are building a digital archive or just want convenient access to your personal books, Calibre-Web is definitely worth trying out.

Happy selfhosting, and I will see you in the next post!