search

Search the National Library's catalog - books, newspapers, journals, photos, maps, music, manuscripts, radio/TV and more, both physical and digitized. Digitized text (OCR) is matched too by default, so a query can surface newspaper or book pages that mention a term even when it's not in the title.

Signature: search(q: string, required; media_type: string, optional, default None; language: string, optional, default None; county: string, optional, default None; year_from: integer, optional, default None; year_to: integer, optional, default None; digital_only: yes/no, optional, default False; sort: string, optional, default None; page: integer, optional, default 0; size: integer, optional, default 10; limit: integer, items, optional, default 25; offset: integer, items, optional, default 0)

Direct GET

For navigating agents: open the HTML page with parameters in the URL. The result is fetched and displayed without screenshots or form filling.

Open this validated HTML GET URL

https://allemannsdata.com/wiki/kilder/nasjonalbiblioteket/search/?q={q}&media_type={media_type}&language={language}&county={county}&year_from={year_from}&year_to={year_to}&digital_only=false&sort={sort}&page=0&size=10&limit=25&offset=0

Replace {q}, {media_type}, {language}, {county}, {year_from}, {year_to}, {digital_only}, {sort}, {page}, {size} with values. Remove unused optional parameters from the URL.

For software and dashboards: Read the operation descriptor. The JSON GET template is https://allemannsdata.com/wiki/api/v1/kilder/nasjonalbiblioteket/search?q={q}&media_type={media_type}&language={language}&county={county}&year_from={year_from}&year_to={year_to}&digital_only=false&sort={sort}&page=0&size=10&limit=25&offset=0. Open this exact request as JSON.

ParameterRequirementJSON typeDescription
qrequiredstringFree-text query. Supports field-restricted terms too, e.g. "subject:fiske year:1970" combined with free text.
media_typeoptionalunionRestrict to one type, e.g. aviser (newspapers), bøker (books), tidsskrift (journals), bilder (photos), musikk, kart (maps), film, plakater (posters), noter (sheet music), radio, fjernsyn. See get_aggregations(q="*", group_by="mediatype") for the full list with counts.
languageoptionalunionLanguage filter - values are inconsistent in the catalog (mixes codes like "nob" and labels like "Norsk bokmål"); check get_aggregations(q=q, group_by="languages") first if unsure.
countyoptionalunionNorwegian county name, e.g. "Troms", "Oslo".
year_fromoptionalunionRestrict to items published/issued in this year range (inclusive).
year_tooptionalunionRestrict to items published/issued in this year range (inclusive).
digital_onlyoptionalbooleanOnly items that have been digitized.
sortoptionalunionOne of date, title, otherid, firstDigitalContentTime, optionally suffixed ",desc" (default: relevance).
pageoptionalintegerZero-based page index.
sizeoptionalintegerResults per page, 1 to 100 (default 10).
limitoptionalintegerGateway page size; default 25, maximum 100.
offsetoptionalintegerNumber of list items to skip; default 0.
Generated JavaScript, Python and response structure

Use JSON when the user requests code, machine-readable data, value extraction or further computation. Use the HTML GET page to identify the correct source and verify parameters.

Example for generated JavaScript and Python

https://allemannsdata.com/wiki/api/v1/kilder/nasjonalbiblioteket/search?q={q}&media_type={media_type}&language={language}&county={county}&year_from={year_from}&year_to={year_to}&digital_only=false&sort={sort}&page=0&size=10&limit=25&offset=0

Replace URL placeholders and remove unused optional parameters.

JavaScript in a dashboard

const url = "https://allemannsdata.com/wiki/api/v1/kilder/nasjonalbiblioteket/search?q={q}&media_type={media_type}&language={language}&county={county}&year_from={year_from}&year_to={year_to}&digital_only=false&sort={sort}&page=0&size=10&limit=25&offset=0";
const response = await fetch(url);
if (!response.ok) {
  const failure = await response.json();
  throw new Error(`${failure.error.code}: ${failure.error.message} ${failure.suggestion}`);
}
const result = await response.json();
const data = result.data;

Python without additional packages

import json
from urllib.request import urlopen

url = "https://allemannsdata.com/wiki/api/v1/kilder/nasjonalbiblioteket/search?q={q}&media_type={media_type}&language={language}&county={county}&year_from={year_from}&year_to={year_to}&digital_only=false&sort={sort}&page=0&size=10&limit=25&offset=0"
with urlopen(url) as response:
    result = json.load(response)
data = result["data"]

Response structure

{
  "source": "nasjonalbiblioteket",
  "operation": "search",
  "parameters": {},
  "data": {},
  "entities": [],
  "_meta": {"retrieved_at": "...", "sources": [], "cache": {}},
  "_links": {"self": "...", "source": "...", "wiki": "...", "feedback": "..."}
}
Form for manual use

The form is a fallback for people and browser agents that cannot open the GET URL directly.

Type: string. Free-text query. Supports field-restricted terms too, e.g. "subject:fiske year:1970" combined with free text.
Type: string. Restrict to one type, e.g. aviser (newspapers), bøker (books), tidsskrift (journals), bilder (photos), musikk, kart (maps), film, plakater (posters), noter (sheet music), radio, fjernsyn. See get_aggregations(q="*", group_by="mediatype") for the full list with counts.
Type: string. Language filter - values are inconsistent in the catalog (mixes codes like "nob" and labels like "Norsk bokmål"); check get_aggregations(q=q, group_by="languages") first if unsure.
Type: string. Norwegian county name, e.g. "Troms", "Oslo".
Type: integer. Restrict to items published/issued in this year range (inclusive).
Type: integer. Restrict to items published/issued in this year range (inclusive).
Type: yes/no. Only items that have been digitized.
Type: string. One of date, title, otherid, firstDigitalContentTime, optionally suffixed ",desc" (default: relevance).
Type: integer. Zero-based page index.
Type: integer. Results per page, 1 to 100 (default 10).

Result

Source: National Library of Norway. Retrieved 2026-09-22T18:25:06Z in 0.261 seconds.

total:
14403
page:
0
size:
10
items:

10 results

  1. id:
    d06883fc9219570fa2a3f58a6587b81a
    urn:
    URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2011091506055
    title:
    NFR-prosjekt - Pålitelighet av instrumenterte sikkerhetssystemer : årsrapport for 2004
    creators:

    2 results

    1. Sandtorv, Helge
    2. Pålitelighet av instrumenterte sikkerhetssystemer (prosjekt)
    year:
    2005
    publisher:
    SINTEF, Teknologi og samfunn
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. bøker
    languages:

    1 results

    1. nob
    county:
    not reported by source
    digital:
    yes
    public_domain:
    no
    license:
    bokhylla
    viewability:
    NONE
    access_allowed_from:
    NORWAY
    thumbnail:
    https://www.nb.no/services/image/resolver/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2011091506055_C1/full/0,128/0/native.jpg
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/d06883fc9219570fa2a3f58a6587b81a
  2. id:
    3113fecb80905ef7edcbb25887096ff3
    urn:
    URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2023060783012_001
    title:
    Kjemi : prosjekt, prosess, produkt. 1981 Nr. 7a
    creators:

    3 results

    1. Norsk kjemisk selskap
    2. Norske sivilingeniørers forening
    3. Norges ingeniørorganisasjon - NITO
    year:
    1981
    publisher:
    Media Oslo
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. tidsskrift
    languages:

    3 results

    1. eng
    2. nob
    3. mul
    county:
    not reported by source
    digital:
    yes
    public_domain:
    no
    license:
    copyrighted
    viewability:
    NONE
    access_allowed_from:
    NB
    thumbnail:
    https://www.nb.no/services/image/resolver/URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2023060783012_001_0001/full/0,128/0/native.jpg
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/3113fecb80905ef7edcbb25887096ff3
  3. id:
    d3fa4f9136d5ae3848ff2caf2720f7ef
    urn:
    URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2022062880023_007
    title:
    Kjemi : prosjekt, prosess, produkt. 1978 Vol. 38 Nr. 7
    creators:

    3 results

    1. Norsk kjemisk selskap
    2. Norske sivilingeniørers forening
    3. Norges ingeniørorganisasjon - NITO
    year:
    1978
    publisher:
    Media Oslo
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. tidsskrift
    languages:

    3 results

    1. eng
    2. nob
    3. mul
    county:
    not reported by source
    digital:
    yes
    public_domain:
    no
    license:
    copyrighted
    viewability:
    NONE
    access_allowed_from:
    NB
    thumbnail:
    https://www.nb.no/services/image/resolver/URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2022062880023_007_0001/full/0,128/0/native.jpg
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/d3fa4f9136d5ae3848ff2caf2720f7ef
  4. id:
    ef417e9bd3b37ed8151827ae95a2e735
    urn:
    URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2022063080022_003
    title:
    Kjemi : prosjekt, prosess, produkt. 1991 Vol. 51 Nr. 3
    creators:

    3 results

    1. Norsk kjemisk selskap
    2. Norske sivilingeniørers forening
    3. Norges ingeniørorganisasjon - NITO
    year:
    1991
    publisher:
    Media Oslo
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. tidsskrift
    languages:

    3 results

    1. eng
    2. nob
    3. mul
    county:
    not reported by source
    digital:
    yes
    public_domain:
    no
    license:
    copyrighted
    viewability:
    NONE
    access_allowed_from:
    NB
    thumbnail:
    https://www.nb.no/services/image/resolver/URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2022063080022_003_0001/full/0,128/0/native.jpg
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/ef417e9bd3b37ed8151827ae95a2e735
  5. id:
    3af648a0f4a13448342f9d1118d520ff
    urn:
    URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2022062880026_003
    title:
    Kjemi : prosjekt, prosess, produkt. 1980 Vol. 40 Nr. 4
    creators:

    3 results

    1. Norsk kjemisk selskap
    2. Norske sivilingeniørers forening
    3. Norges ingeniørorganisasjon - NITO
    year:
    1980
    publisher:
    Media Oslo
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. tidsskrift
    languages:

    3 results

    1. eng
    2. nob
    3. mul
    county:
    not reported by source
    digital:
    yes
    public_domain:
    no
    license:
    copyrighted
    viewability:
    NONE
    access_allowed_from:
    NB
    thumbnail:
    https://www.nb.no/services/image/resolver/URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2022062880026_003_0001/full/0,128/0/native.jpg
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/3af648a0f4a13448342f9d1118d520ff
  6. id:
    dcbb94cdc677e9e3091a1280aefae4c0
    urn:
    URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2022063080043_007
    title:
    Kjemi : prosjekt, prosess, produkt. 1983 Vol. 43 Nr. 7
    creators:

    3 results

    1. Norsk kjemisk selskap
    2. Norske sivilingeniørers forening
    3. Norges ingeniørorganisasjon - NITO
    year:
    1983
    publisher:
    Media Oslo
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. tidsskrift
    languages:

    3 results

    1. eng
    2. nob
    3. mul
    county:
    not reported by source
    digital:
    yes
    public_domain:
    no
    license:
    copyrighted
    viewability:
    NONE
    access_allowed_from:
    NB
    thumbnail:
    https://www.nb.no/services/image/resolver/URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2022063080043_007_0001/full/0,128/0/native.jpg
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/dcbb94cdc677e9e3091a1280aefae4c0
  7. id:
    4c8e3521866c58a0915e096142ae25e4
    urn:
    URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2024111480006_001
    title:
    Birkebeiner'n : offisielt magasin for Birkebeinerrennet AS og Birkebeinerrittet AS. 2009 Vol. 21 Nr. 1b
    creators:

    2 results

    1. Birkebeinerrittet
    2. Birkebeinerrennet
    year:
    2009
    publisher:
    Sport media
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. tidsskrift
    languages:

    1 results

    1. nob
    county:
    not reported by source
    digital:
    yes
    public_domain:
    no
    license:
    copyrighted
    viewability:
    NONE
    access_allowed_from:
    NB
    thumbnail:
    https://www.nb.no/services/image/resolver/URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2024111480006_001_0001/full/0,128/0/native.jpg
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/4c8e3521866c58a0915e096142ae25e4
  8. id:
    461ad22bf653cd3a534a06cc7b70e194
    urn:
    URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2008032600031
    title:
    Folketellingen 31.12.1865 for 1558 Øre
    creators:

    1 results

    1. Teleslekt (prosjekt)
    year:
    1996
    publisher:
    Teleslekt
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. bøker
    languages:

    3 results

    1. eng
    2. nob
    3. mul
    county:
    not reported by source
    digital:
    yes
    public_domain:
    yes
    license:
    publicdomain
    viewability:
    ALL
    access_allowed_from:
    EVERYWHERE
    thumbnail:
    https://www.nb.no/services/image/resolver/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2008032600031_C1/full/0,128/0/native.jpg
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/461ad22bf653cd3a534a06cc7b70e194
  9. id:
    5769fda68bc256fee95fcdbe7cb6c535
    urn:
    URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2014051908243
    title:
    Folketellingen 3.12.1900 for 0728 Lardal
    creators:

    1 results

    1. Teleslekt (prosjekt)
    year:
    1996
    publisher:
    Teleslekt
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. bøker
    languages:

    1 results

    1. nob
    county:
    not reported by source
    digital:
    yes
    public_domain:
    yes
    license:
    publicdomain
    viewability:
    ALL
    access_allowed_from:
    EVERYWHERE
    thumbnail:
    https://www.nb.no/services/image/resolver/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2014051908243_C1/full/0,128/0/native.jpg
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/5769fda68bc256fee95fcdbe7cb6c535
  10. id:
    c3ecfa02acbb810a9ebb304857d3c526
    urn:
    URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2011010503039
    title:
    Folketellingen 3.12.1900 for 0101 Fredrikshald kjøbstad. D. 1(2) : Detaljliste
    creators:

    1 results

    1. Teleslekt (prosjekt)
    year:
    1996
    publisher:
    Teleslekt
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. bøker
    languages:

    1 results

    1. nob
    county:
    not reported by source
    digital:
    yes
    public_domain:
    yes
    license:
    publicdomain
    viewability:
    ALL
    access_allowed_from:
    EVERYWHERE
    thumbnail:
    https://www.nb.no/services/image/resolver/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2011010503039_C1/full/0,128/0/native.jpg
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/c3ecfa02acbb810a9ebb304857d3c526
limit:
25
offset:
0
returned:
10
has_more_results:
yes
truncated:
yes
next_offset:
10
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Continue exploring

How an AI agent should use this page

Ground rule: Navigate with HTML GET links to keep explanations and relationships. Use the page's JSON alternative only when concrete values must be extracted, compared or computed.

How to use the search lookup

  1. Replace the placeholders in the HTML GET template; remove optional parameters you do not need.
  2. Check types, units, limits and ID formats in the parameter table.
  3. Follow linked results to canonical pages before combining sources.

Misreading to avoid: An empty list means "no results for this lookup". An error message or unavailable source does not mean the data does not exist.

Source-specific next step

Go to the source page for other operations. Use the JSON template only after the HTML result shows that the parameters and source are correct.