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 2026-09-27T10:57:57Z in 0.186 seconds.

total:
8520
page:
0
size:
10
items:

10 results

  1. id:
    a6903cfad844ba7dd096a0ba69832807
    urn:
    URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2022102048040
    title:
    Schenker AS: 100 år i Norge : 1916-2016
    creators:

    2 results

    1. Spurkeland, Einar
    2. Hamnøy, Odd
    year:
    2016
    publisher:
    Schenker AS
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. bøker
    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_digibok_2022102048040_C1/full/0,128/0/native.jpg
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/a6903cfad844ba7dd096a0ba69832807
  2. id:
    9946bfbe251a4af05de310829f3fd9c7
    urn:
    not reported by source
    title:
    Inside outside : kundeavis fra Schenker-BLT AS
    creators:

    1 results

    1. Schenker-Btl
    year:
    19910101
    publisher:
    Schenker-BTL
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. tidsskrift
    languages:

    1 results

    1. nob
    county:
    not reported by source
    digital:
    no
    public_domain:
    no
    license:
    copyrighted
    viewability:
    ALL
    access_allowed_from:
    EVERYWHERE
    thumbnail:
    not reported by source
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/9946bfbe251a4af05de310829f3fd9c7
  3. id:
    5c0bc18f39cd3490da71396ce105eae2
    urn:
    URN:NBN:no-nb_pliktmonografi_000029997
    title:
    A flexible framework for data fusion based on coupled matrix and tensor factorizations for interpretable pattern discovery
    creators:

    1 results

    1. Schenker, Carla
    year:
    2023
    publisher:
    OsloMet, Universitetsbiblioteket
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. bøker
    languages:

    1 results

    1. eng
    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_pliktmonografi_000029997_0001/full/0,128/0/native.jpg
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/5c0bc18f39cd3490da71396ce105eae2
  4. id:
    3d3a613e319f0de91ca21961e40bf0fa
    urn:
    not reported by source
    title:
    Beethoven : die letzten Sonaten : Sonate As Dur Op. 110
    creators:

    2 results

    1. Schenker, Heinrich
    2. Jonas, Oswald
    year:
    1972
    publisher:
    Universal Edition
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. bøker
    languages:

    1 results

    1. ger
    county:
    not reported by source
    digital:
    no
    public_domain:
    no
    license:
    copyrighted
    viewability:
    NONE
    access_allowed_from:
    NB
    thumbnail:
    not reported by source
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/3d3a613e319f0de91ca21961e40bf0fa
  5. id:
    4ea3853bb3e6fc8f2ef0c2fee1658f37
    urn:
    not reported by source
    title:
    Beethoven's ninth symphony : a portrayal of its musical content, with running commentary on performance and literature as well
    creators:

    2 results

    1. Schenker, Heinrich
    2. Rothgeb, John
    year:
    1992
    publisher:
    Yale University Press
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. bøker
    languages:

    1 results

    1. eng
    county:
    not reported by source
    digital:
    no
    public_domain:
    no
    license:
    copyrighted
    viewability:
    NONE
    access_allowed_from:
    NB
    thumbnail:
    not reported by source
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/4ea3853bb3e6fc8f2ef0c2fee1658f37
  6. id:
    39473063542d7e108a5443b886ec73e0
    urn:
    URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2018013148059
    title:
    5:2-diettens kokebok : 150 oppskrifter
    creators:

    3 results

    1. Spencer, Mimi
    2. Schenker, Sarah
    3. Kristoffersen, Lisbeth
    year:
    2013
    publisher:
    Gyldendal
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. bøker
    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_digibok_2018013148059_C1/full/0,128/0/native.jpg
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/39473063542d7e108a5443b886ec73e0
  7. id:
    89c39fde1b2596d200abcacb6447ee4d
    urn:
    URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2018020848069
    title:
    5:2-diettens kokebok : 150 oppskrifter
    creators:

    3 results

    1. Spencer, Mimi
    2. Schenker, Sarah
    3. Kristoffersen, Lisbeth
    year:
    2015
    publisher:
    Gyldendal
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. bøker
    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_digibok_2018020848069_C1/full/0,128/0/native.jpg
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/89c39fde1b2596d200abcacb6447ee4d
  8. id:
    b7a3bdd8b62f344e5bb19d266a8c38c4
    urn:
    URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2021120248663
    title:
    Midtlivsdietten : bedre helse resten av livet
    creators:

    5 results

    1. Spencer, Mimi
    2. Croker, Issy
    3. Schenker, Sarah
    4. Rice, Sam
    5. Kristoffersen, Lisbeth
    year:
    2018
    publisher:
    Gyldendal
    media_types:

    1 results

    1. bøker
    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_digibok_2021120248663_C1/full/0,128/0/native.jpg
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/b7a3bdd8b62f344e5bb19d266a8c38c4
  9. id:
    4ec4f0843757269741c60aaa97c2246e
    urn:
    URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2025112580051_002
    title:
    ABCompendiet : et informasjonsmagasin fra Arne B. Corneliussen AS. 2011 Nr. 2
    creators:

    1 results

    1. Arne B. Corneliussen AS
    year:
    2011
    publisher:
    Arne B. Corneliussen AS
    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_2025112580051_002_0001/full/0,128/0/native.jpg
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/4ec4f0843757269741c60aaa97c2246e
  10. id:
    a655cced28c38953341f646d4d7d569d
    urn:
    URN:NBN:no-nb_digitidsskrift_2025012880004_007
    title:
    Birkebeiner'n : offisielt magasin for Birkebeinerrennet AS og Birkebeinerrittet AS. 2010 Vol. 22 Nr. Birkebeinerrittet
    creators:

    2 results

    1. Birkebeinerrittet
    2. Birkebeinerrennet
    year:
    2010
    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_2025012880004_007_0001/full/0,128/0/native.jpg
    viewer_url:
    https://www.nb.no/items/a655cced28c38953341f646d4d7d569d
limit:
25
offset:
0
returned:
10
has_more_results:
yes
truncated:
yes
next_offset:
10
Will you use the result in generated code?

Open the same result as JSON

Is data missing or incorrect? Send feedback about this result.

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.