Uniform Resource Name URN
The URN (Uniform Resource Name) is a unique identifier for internet resources. It can be used as a stable reference to URLs (Uniform Resource Locator or «link» on the internet). The URN can replace a URL in library catalogues or in other listing systems and can also be used as a stable reference within documents.
The Swiss National Library assigns URNs on the basis of the NBN (National Bibliography Number). The domain NBN is the result of a common initiative of national libraries in the context of the CDNL (Conference of Directors of National Libraries) and the CENL (Conference of European National Librarians).
URN Coordination Service
For questions regarding the URN, you can contact the URN Coordination Service at the Swiss National Library:
URN Handbook (in German)
In one document:
By chapters:
01, Inhaltsverzeichnis
02, Glossar
The glossary explains the terms and abbreviations used in the URN Handbook.
03, Einführung
The term URN is explained in the introduction and the handbook's outline is provided.
04, Aufbau einer URN
The organization and name of the individual parts of the URN are explained in this chapter.
05, Auflösung
This chapter describes how a URN operates.
06, URN-Policy der Schweizerischen Nationalbibliothek
The URN policy at the NL clarifies the term URN and explains URN issuance. It compiles some of the chapters of the URN Handbook.
07, URN-Vergabe-Szenarien im Hochschulbereich Schweiz
The individual URN issuance scenarios are listed and described in this chapter. It may serve as a decision-making tool for institutions of higher learning in Switzerland, that want to systematically assign URNs to digital objects for long term storage.
08, URN-Vergabestellen im Hochschulbereich Schweiz
This chapter outlines the requirements placed on an institution of higher learning in Switzerland in order to qualify for issuing URNs, how to register at the NL, implementation, obligations as well as costs.
09, URN-Bezüger im Hochschulbereich Schweiz
This chapter outlines the requirements placed on an institution of higher learning in Switzerland to order URNs, how to register at an office for issuing URNs, implementation, obligations as well as costs.
10, URN-Bezüger ausserhalb des Hochschulbereichs Schweiz
This chapter outlines the requirements placed on an institution not considered an institution of higher learning in Switzerland to order a URN, how to register at the NL, technical implementation, obligations as well as costs.
11, URN-Koordinationsstelle
This chapter explains the duties and workflows of the URN office of coordination.
12, Arbeitsinstrumente
This chapter lists tools available at the NL.
13, Abläufe e-Helvetica
This chapter portrays individual situations that may arise when issuing a URN, depicts the setup for Ingest e-Helvetica and describes the corresponding workflows at the NL.
Further documentation and links on the subject of URN
URN:NBN resolver for Germany and Switzerland. This website offers two different ways of resolving URNs:
1. Resolving a URL behind a specific URN
2. Resolving a URN allocated for a URL.