BookShelves for Mac can serve your library over your home network. Any OPDS reader (KOReader on a Kindle or Kobo, OPDS apps on phones and tablets) can then browse your books and download them, and a web browser can open the same address.
Important: The OPDS server is part of BookShelves Pro and runs in the Mac app only.
Turn it on
- Open BookShelves > Settings (⌘ ,) and go to Advanced.
- Under Web Server / OPDS Server, turn on Enable Web Server.
- Leave Port at 8080 unless something else on your Mac uses it (any port from 1024 to 65535 works).
While the server runs, Settings shows two addresses, each with a Copy button:
- Server URL, such as
http://192.168.1.20:8080: open it in a browser. - OPDS Feed, the same address ending in
/opds: add this one to your e-reader or OPDS app.
The server also announces itself on the network, so OPDS apps that look for nearby catalogs can find it without typing the address.
What devices see
The feed offers your whole library, recently added books, favorites, subjects (your tags) and search. Both OPDS 1.2 and OPDS 2.0 readers work.
Connect an e-reader
- KOReader: add a new OPDS catalog and paste the OPDS Feed address. Step by step: KOReader OPDS setup.
- Other OPDS apps: add a catalog with the OPDS Feed address. More background: OPDS catalogs explained.
Important: The server has no password. Anyone on the same network can browse and download your library while it runs, so turn it on at home, not on public Wi-Fi.
If a device can’t connect
- The device and your Mac must be on the same network. Guest networks often keep devices apart.
- Your Mac’s address can change after a restart. Check Server URL in Settings again.
- If the macOS firewall is on, allow incoming connections for BookShelves.
- Some readers need a trailing slash:
http://192.168.1.20:8080/opds/.
To send single books to KOReader and give it your reading progress, see the Calibre Wireless Server.