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Database Information System

University Library of Regensburg
Germany
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About

Launched: 2002
Record Updated: Oct 03, 2025
Discovery system
Index or directory
As part of the UR Library Services, the Database Information System (DBIS) is a cooperative management system for scholarly databases. It contains information on more than 14,000 databases in all subject areas, of which 6,000 are freely accessible, visualized by traffic light symbols. DBIS provides uniform access to licensed and free databases through an intuitive, institution-specific user interface and ensures quality assurance and up-to-dateness through cooperative data maintenance with more than 450 participating institutions and libraries. The system features user and administrator interfaces in both German and English, and includes export options for further use.
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Mission

We believe in trustworthy information for research and teaching. Through transparent cooperation between knowledge institutions, we find the right academic database efficiently and individually.

Key Achievements

  • Database metadata made available under CC0 license

  • Uniform access to information on fee-based and free databases via an intuitive, institution-specific user interface in German and English and traffic light symbols

  • Export options for further use

Technical Attributes

Maintenance Status

Actively Maintained

Open Code Repository

Implemented
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Technical Documentation

In Progress

Code License

Implemented
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Open API

Implemented
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Open Data Statement

Implemented
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Open Product Roadmap

Implemented
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Technical Attribute Statements

Programming Languages

  • html
  • php
  • python

Technology Readiness Level

  • Actual system proven in operational environment

Code Licenses Used

  • GNU General Public License (GPL)

Content Licensing

  • Creative commons licenses

Standards

Metadata

  • JSON
  • REST
  • XML Exchange Table Model Document Type Definition

Hosting Options

  • Through solution or third party vendor

Community Engagement

Community Engagement

Implemented

Community Statements

User Contribution Pathways

  • Contribute to working groups or interest groups

Community Engagement Activities

  • Annual meetings
  • Blogs
  • Conference participation
  • Mailing lists and discussion forums (including Slack)
  • Staff roles with responsibility for community engagement
  • User research
  • Webinars and training

Policies & Governance

Governance Summary

The EZB-DBIS Advisory Board represents the wishes and requirements of the participating institutions. The advisory board members advise the Regensburg University Library on strategic issues, provide suggestions for optimization, and offer broad input for the further development of both the EZB and DBIS services.

Policies

Privacy Policy

Implemented
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Governance Records

Implemented
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Governance Structure & Processes

Implemented
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Policy Statements

Board Structure

  • Advisory board or steering committee

Community Governance

  • Ad hoc

Additional Information

Organizational History

The DFG-funded project "Expansion, consolidation and optimization of the nationwide database information system DBIS" aimed to adapt the Database Information System (DBIS), established in 2002 at the University Library of Regensburg, to current and future needs of the scientific community. DBIS is a key research tool for scholarly databases, used by 400+ institutions. The project results include modernized, user-friendly interfaces, a frontend optimized for researchers and students, and a newly designed administration. Interfaces for data exchange with other systems were developed, enabling better integration of DBIS with national and international information infrastructures. The new version of DBIS went live in October 2024. The successful completion of the project ensures that DBIS will remain a central tool for researching scholarly databases, meeting the needs of a digitalized and globally connected academic landscape. Source: https://epub.uni-regensburg.de/76489/

Organizational Structure

Business or Ownership Model

Fiscal sponsorship (academic institution)

Current Affiliations

DBIS is operated by the University Library of Regensburg.

Funding

Primary Funding Source

University Library of Regensburg
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