Navigation and service

Go to:

18 to 24 February 2025

The German National Library in Leipzig will be closed from 18 to 24 February 2025, 11:00. The exhibitions of the German Museum of Books and Writing will open from 10:00 to 18:00.

What is the Online Standard Interface?

The Online Standard Interface uses the standard "SRU (Search/Retrieve via URL) Record Update" to facilitate the description, amendment and deletion (CRUD) of authority data in the Integrated Authority File (GND). SRU Record Update is a web service based on SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) that is transmitted through the HTTPS web protocol. The Online Standard Interface is usually implemented directly in the database management system of libraries, museums and archives.

SRU Record Update – standard and functions

The Online Standard Interface works with version 1.0 of the SRU Record Update protocol based on the SRU standard of the Library of Congress.

Functions of SRU Record Update

A GND data record in MARC 21 in an XML structure transmitted to the Online Standard Interface by SRU Record Update protocol can

  • be saved as a new entry in the database (create action) or
  • update an existing record (replace action).

The request and response functions in SRU Record Update are based on the SOAP and HTTPS protocols.

  • Create Action: creation of a new record
  • Replace Action: changing an existing data record
    A complete data record must be transmitted as the delivered data record completely overwrites the data record in the database.
  • Delete action: not permitted. Deletions, redirects and divisions can only be carried out as "replace actions". More information is available in the GND editing guidelines (available only in German).
    The marking is made in the data record itself and not at the level of the SRU protocol. The markers specified in the GND change procedure must therefore be adhered to (see detailed information on GND change service).
  • Incremental changes (partial updates) are currently not supported.

Format of the Online Standard Interface

The Online Standard Interface uses the xml variant of the MARC 21 exchange format (MARC21-xml), coding UTF-8 decomposed.

Changes to UTF-8 character set 25kB, PDF - Not barrier-free file.

Access requirements

As GND partners, institutions must be willing to cooperate on the GND editing guidelines (available only in German) and possess an International Standard Identifier for Libraries and Related Organizations (ISIL) or MARC Organization Code for unique identification. These creator identifiers (the library network editorial office if applicable) must be entered in the subfields of MARC 21field 040. GND cooperation partners will receive an authenticationToken to facilitate use of the interface on request.

Terms of use and provision

All bibliographic data from the German National Library, the German Union Catalogue of Serials (ZDB), the metadata of the ISIL and library code list and the authority data from the Integrated Authority File (GND) is available free of charge for general re-use under Creative Commons Zero terms (CC0 1.0).

Most of the holding data in the German Union Catalogue of Serials (ZDB) is also free for general re-use under CC0 1.0. A corresponding tag is incorporated into the record itself, see see also data licensing in the ZDB (available only in German).
The metadata and online interfaces are provided with no guarantee that they will be continuous, punctual, error-free or complete or that they do not violate third-party rights (e.g. personal rights and copyright).

Contact

schnittstellen-service@dnb.de

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between SRU and SRU Record Update?

SRU Record Update facilitates the creation, amendment and deletion of data records in the GND, i.e. it provides write access. In contrast, the SRU interface provides read-only access.

How can I test the SRU Record Update interface?

After you have received an access code, you can perform tests via the test system using YAZ-Client, Advanced REST Client, Postman or, in the Firefox web browser, an add-on such as Resting oder RESTer.

Where must the access data be entered?

The access data (authenticationToken) must be entered for every transaction in the element "extraRequestData" at the end of the SOAP envelope.

In which formats can new or changed data records be entered?

New entries and updates to GND authority records in the SRU Record Update protocol must be made in the exchange format MARC21-xml.

In which field is the time stamp given in MARC21-xml format?

The time stamp is saved in MARC-21-xml-field 005 and is used for comparison with the current time stamp entered for the data record in the database.

What is a "recordIdentifier" with a gnd prefix in the SRU response?

This "recordIdentifier" is the unique GND number. It consists of the namespace "gnd" and the GND number in the format "gnd:gnd118512676".
Explanation: The GND number is entered in MARC field 035 $a, e.g. 035 $a(DE-588)118512676.
For the "recordIdentifier", the ISIL/MARC Organization Code for the GND "DE-588" is resolved as the prefix "gnd". See also German ISIL and Library Codes Agency (available only in German).

What is a "recordIdentifier" with a ppn prefix in the SRU response?

This "recordIdentifier" is the German National Library’s internal identification number. It consists of the namespace “ppn” and the identification number in the format "ppn:940116162".
Explanation: The PPN/IDN is delivered in MARC field 001, for example 129602434.
As the interface is generally oriented, the SRU response always returns the German National Library's internal identification number – no matter which identifier was sent in the SRU request.


Last changes: 27.11.2024
Short-URL: https://www.dnb.de/EN/ons
Contact: schnittstellen-service@dnb.de

to the top