Navigation and service

Go to:

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.

Legal deposit

We also say: mandatory deposit
German: Ablieferungspflicht

Statutory obligation to deposit one or more media works (mandatory deposit copies) with the responsible libraries free of charge in order to ensure long-term access to a country’s cultural heritage. The Law Regarding the German National Library (DNBG) and the Legal Deposit Regulation (PflAV), which builds on the DNBG, are the foundations for the obligation to deposit copies with the German National Library.

More about legal deposit on our website

long-term digital preservation

Long-term preservation

We also say: long-term digital preservation, digital preservation
German: Langzeitarchivierung

In libraries, the systematic storage and preservation of digital collections for a lengthy, indefinite period. Long-term preservation encompasses all measures taken to safeguard the perpetual availability and usability of digital media (both on carriers and through public networks) so that it can also survive changes in technology.

More about long-term preservation on our website

Loose-leaf collection

We also say: loose-leaf publication
German: Loseblattsammlung

Publication consisting of loose pieces of paper collected in folders. Found for example in literature on legal topics or in computer science, loose-leaf collections make it possible to update content by replacing individual pages rather than having to publish a new edition of a complete work. In RDA (Resource Description and Access) cataloguing, they are, upon the fulfilment of certain criteria, treated as an integrating resource.

More about loose-leaf collection on our website

Loose-leaf publication

Contact: webredaktion@dnb.de

to the top