Overview
The German National Library provides a free metadata subscription service through its OAI interface and fee-based subscriptions via WWW or SFTP servers. These subscriptions are available for the following datasets:
The metadata is available in the formats MARC 21 (also in XML structure), RDF (various serialisations) and DNB Casual (bibliographic data only). All formats are offered in UTF-8 decomposed character encoding. Since 1 October 2015, the descriptive cataloguing of bibliographic data at the German National Library has been effected in accordance with "Resource Description and Access" (RDA) rules.
An overview of all available metadata as well as the different options of obtaining data is given here.
Free via OAI interface
You can subscribe to ongoing metadata updates free of charge through the OAI interface. An OAI query returns all the data records that were created or modified during the period requested. The results returned by the interface for the German Union Catalogue of Serials (ZDB) and Integrated Authority File (GND) also contain redirected and deleted data records.
Free WWW or SFTP access
Newly recorded bibliographic data from the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie and the weekly change service for authority data (GND) and bibliographic and holding data from the German Union Catalogue of Serials (ZDB) are available through WWW or SFTP access via a stable link and free of charge. The metadata is available in MARC 21 (also in XML structure) format.
The number of deliveries each year depends on the publication frequency of the respective series:
Access to metadata
Deutsche Nationalbibliografie (German National Bibliography) and New Release Service
The current deliveries of all series of the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie and the New Release Service are provided in MARC 21 (also in XML structure).
You can view the current data version after using the access link in the respective data description.
Each delivery will be deleted after 100 days.
Access to metadata via SFTP client.
Metadata from the Integrated Authority File (GND) – GND change service
The current weekly deliveries of the GND are provided in MARC 21 (also in XML structure).
You can view the current data version after using the access link in the respective data description.
Each delivery will be deleted after 100 days.
Access to metadata via SFTP client.
Bibliographic and holdings data from the German Union Catalogue of Serials (ZDB) – ZDB change service
The weekly deliveries of the ZDB change service contain all the newly recorded and altered bibliographic and holdings data of the ZDB from the time of the last delivery:
Alternative: Access to metadata via SFTP client.
Each delivery will be deleted after 100 days.
For institutions actively taking part in ZDB, an individual selection and provision of weekly changes containing solely one’s own insitution’s holdings data in MARC 21 format (also in XML structure) is available for a fee.
In addition, by participating in the joint data services of the EZB and ZDB (website in German language only) one’s own insitution’s holdings data as well as licensing information regarding the periodical publications in both systems can be obtained comfortably through the ZDB change service.
New developments and information on format changes
You will be notified of format changes three months beforehand in a corresponding announcement of changes. Formats are modified in a fixed chronological sequence.
Terms of use and provision
Detailed information on terms of use and provision is given here.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Where can I get test data?
Currently valid test data in the MARC 21 format (also in XML structure) can be accessed at any time via the respective link to the current deliveries of the desired metadata.
In addition the catalogue as well as the metadata shop offer access to data. In order to illustrate the regular format changes test data is available in the format MARC 21 (also in XML structure), and RDF (various serialisations). All formats are offered in UTF-8 decomposed character encoding.
How do I access the data via SFTP?
You can access our regular metadata via an SFTP client.
Server: data.dnb.de
Port: 22122
Example link for access via SFTP client:
sftp://DNBlfdMarc21:DNBlfdMarc21@data.dnb.de:22122
The identifier and password are the same for the format MARC 21:
- DNBlfdMarc21
- GNDlfdMarc21
- ZDBlfdMarc21
The identifier and password are the same for the format MARC21-xml:
- DNBlfdMarc21xml
- GNDlfdMarc21xml
- ZDBlfdMarc21xml
Further processing
If you are just getting started with processing metadata, useful programmes include the software suite Catmandu, OpenRefine or Metafacture, while data can be analysed with "Konstanz Information Miner" (KNIME) or the Metadata Quality Assurance Framework. A more detailed overview is provided in the presentation slides "Open Source Software zur Verarbeitung und Analyse von Metadaten" (available only in German) and the article "Survey of Tools for Linked Data Consumption".
Multi-part monographs and parts of continuing and integrating resources: harvesting superordinate data records
Only the data records for each part (with dependent or independent title) are delivered via the OAI interface. In contrast, the data service delivers both the data records for each part and the superordinate data records via SFTP/WWW servers. In general, OAI-PMH can be used to retrieve the headers by entering the corresponding identifiers. Depending on the type of data record (with dependent or independent title) and format, this identifier is stored in various fields or elements of the data records for each part, cf. overview (available only in German).
I require other data sets. How can I request these?
You can ask us to select metadata according to your individual requirements. The corresponding data will be made available for you to collect via the SFTP or WWW servers against payment of a fee. You can find all the relevant information at Data selection.
Where can I find additional open access data sets?
In addition to our ongoing updata to metadata, you can access regularly updated full copies of bibliographic data and authority data. We provide these free of charge in MARC 21 (also in XML structure). Furthermore, the DNBLab provides direct access to additional free (thematic) data sets and digital objects.
How can I get important information, e.g. about changes and disruptions to the regular supply of metadata?
We suggest you sign up to the appropriate mailing list to make sure you receive timely information about changes, new developments, disruptions and maintenance work.
DNB metadata supply – mailing list for the German National Library’s metadata supply
GND metadata supply – mailing list for the Integrated Authority File (GND) metadata supply
ZDBINFO – for information on regular ZDB production operations, deliveries of metadata and the ISIL- and Library Code Directory
Contact
metadatendienste@dnb.de
Get current information about the latest developments and activities carried out by the metadata services:
newsletter, format changes, mailing lists.
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