# German Historical Bibliography > National bibliography for German History **Wikidata**: [Q116192395](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q116192395) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/german-historical-bibliography ## Summary The German Historical Bibliography (DHB) serves as the national bibliography for German history, functioning as a specialized registry for publications in the field. It is a fundamental component of the Specialised Information Service for Historical Sciences, operated cooperatively by major German research institutions to provide systematic access to historical literature. ## Key Facts - **Alias:** DHB - **Classification:** Instance of a bibliography; described as the national bibliography for German History. - **Parent Organization:** Specialised Information Service Historical Sciences. - **Language:** German. - **Access:** Available via the URL `https://www.historicum.net/metaopac/start.do?View=dhb&Query`. - **Operators:** - Bavarian State Library - Institute of Contemporary History Munich-Berlin - Deutsches Museum - Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities - **Disciplinary Context:** As a bibliography, it falls under the academic field founded by Paul Otlet and is categorized under Dewey Decimal Classification 010. ## FAQs ### Q: What is the German Historical Bibliography? The German Historical Bibliography (DHB) is the national bibliography dedicated to German history. It acts as a specialized information service to document and organize publications within this historical field. ### Q: Who operates and maintains the DHB? The bibliography is managed by a cooperative network of institutions, including the Bavarian State Library, the Institute of Contemporary History Munich-Berlin, the Deutsches Museum, and the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. ### Q: How does the DHB relate to the field of library science? The DHB is an instance of a bibliography, which is a subclass of information science and a core part of library science. It utilizes the systematic methods established by the discipline—such as descriptive and textual bibliography—to document historical works. ## Why It Matters The German Historical Bibliography is a critical infrastructure for the organization of historical knowledge. By applying the rigorous methods of bibliography—the academic discipline of studying and listing books as physical objects—the DHB ensures that the vast output of German historical publications is systematically analyzed, described, and made retrievable. It transforms a simple collection of books into a functional, searchable resource for researchers. As part of the Specialised Information Service Historical Sciences, it plays a foundational role in verifying and providing access to the documented history of the nation, allowing scholars to navigate the complexities of publishing history, editions, and textual variations. ## Notable For - **National Scope:** It is the designated national bibliography specifically for the subject of German History. - **Cooperative Model:** Unlike bibliographies managed by a single entity, the DHB is notable for its operation by a consortium of four distinct major institutions (Bavarian State Library, Institute of Contemporary History, Deutsches Museum, and Berlin-Brandenburg Academy). - **Disciplinary Foundation:** It embodies the principles of "bibliology," utilizing the theoretical frameworks established by Paul Otlet to organize information. - **Integration:** It serves as a specific, branded view (DHB) within the broader MetaOPAC system hosted by Historicum.net. ## Body ### Definition and Scope The German Historical Bibliography (DHB) is formally defined as the national bibliography for German History. It functions as a specialized instance of a **bibliography**, which is an academic discipline and field of study concerned with the systematic description and listing of books. While the general discipline encompasses the study of books as physical objects—analyzing paper, printing, and binding—the DHB focuses these organizational principles on the specific domain of historical literature. It is also known by the alias **DHB**. ### Operational Structure The DHB is not a standalone organization but a service operated by a coalition of prestigious German institutions. It functions as a cooperative project to ensure comprehensive coverage of the field. The key operators include: * **Bavarian State Library (Bayerische Staatsbibliothek):** A primary operator providing infrastructure and collection support. * **Institute of Contemporary History Munich-Berlin (Institut für Zeitgeschichte):** Contributes expertise and data regarding modern historical sources. * **Deutsches Museum:** Participates in the operation, likely contributing literature related to the history of science and technology. * **Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften):** Involved in the cooperative development of historical bibliographies. ### Context and Integration The bibliography is a component of the **Specialised Information Service Historical Sciences** (Fachinformationsdienst Geschichtswissenschaften). This placement integrates the DHB into a broader framework designed to provide comprehensive information services to the historical research community. ### Access and Technical Details The primary access point for the German Historical Bibliography is digital. * **Website:** The service is accessible through the URL `https://www.historicum.net/metaopac/start.do?View=dhb&Query`. * **Language:** The primary language of the interface and description is **German**. ### Theoretical Background As a bibliography, the DHB inherits the theoretical properties of its classification. The discipline it belongs to was founded by the Belgian author and librarian **Paul Otlet**. The DHB utilizes the core components of this discipline, specifically the **bibliographic record**, to organize information. It aligns with the broader classifications of knowledge, sitting within the Dewey Decimal Classification under section **010** (Bibliography). By adhering to these standards, the DHB ensures that German historical publications are discoverable, verifiable, and accessible through a standardized system. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.bsb-muenchen.de/sammlungen/geschichte/fachinformationsdienst/#c7315) 2. [Source](https://www.ifz-muenchen.de/bibliothek/literatursuche/bibliografischer-informationsdienst/die-deutsche-historische-bibliografie) 3. [Source](https://www.deutsches-museum.de/forschung/bibliothek/fachinformationsdienst) 4. [Source](https://www.jdg-online.de/projekte/kooperative-weiterentwicklung-geschichtswissenschaftlicher-fachbibliographien.html) 5. [Source](https://www.jdg-online.de/news/jdg-abschluss-und-neuanfang.html) 6. [Source](https://www.historicum.net/informationen/ueber-uns) 7. [Source](https://www.historicum.net/dhb)