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3 to 5 July 2024

Wednesday, 3 July 2024: The old technology reading room is closed due to the construction work.
On 4 and 5 July 2024, use of this reading room and WiFi access may be affected by construction work. The computers in the reading room are not available.

DNB Glossary

Have you ever been asking yourself what “Germanica” is? Or what is meant when we talk about “online publications”? With our glossary, we offer you the possibility to look up these and many other terms commonly used at the German National Library. Please note that the terminology collection is under construction and does not claim to be complete.

Are you missing a term? Then feel free to contact us at webredaktion@dnb.de.

Ingest level

German: Ingest-Level

The result of an evaluation process for digital objects to be included (‘ingested’) in the collections of the German National Library. Based on the assessment of various criteria relating for example to the data or file format, technical metadata or access restrictions, an ingest level (0 – 4) is established; the higher the determined value, the more suitable e.g. an e-book or audio book is for long-term storage and use.

More about Ingest level on our website

Integrated Authority File (GND)

Abbreviation: GND
German: Gemeinsame Normdatei (GND)

Service operated by the German National Library in cooperation with the library networks and other partners in order to facilitate the collaborative use and administration of authority data. GND authority data represent and describe entities, i.e. persons, corporate bodies, congresses and events, geographic entities, topics and works relating to cultural and academic collections.

More about Integrated Authority File (GND) on our website

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

Abbreviation: ISSN
German: International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

International system for uniquely identifying serial publications such as journals, newspapers or even academic blogs. An ISSN has eight digits, is language-independent and globally valid; the National ISSN Centre for Germany is located at the German National Library.

More about International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) on our website

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