> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.jabref.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.jabref.org/v4/finding-sorting-and-cleaning-entries/import-using-online-bibliographic-database/gvk.md).

# GVK

[GVK](https://gso.gbv.de), the GBV Union Catalogue, is a multimaterial bibliographic database of seven German federal states. It covers 41.5 million records of books, conference proceedings, periodicals, dissertations, microfilms and electronic resources.

To fetch entries from GVK, choose **Search → Web search**, and the search interface will appear in the side pane. Select **GVK (Gemeinsamer Verbundkatalog)** in the dropdown menu. To start a search, enter the words of your query, and press Enter or the **Fetch** button.

The results are displayed in the [import inspection window](/v4/import-export.md). In case an error occurs, it is shown in a popup.

## Advanced search

You can simply enter words / names / years you want to search for, or you can specify search keys. Supported keys are:

* all - all words. Not specifYing a search key results in an "all" search
* tit - title words
* per - authors, editors, etc.
* thm - topics
* slw - key words
* txt - tables of content
* num - numbers, e.g. ISBN
* kon - names of conferences
* ppn - Pica Production Numbers of the GVK
* bkl - Basisklassifikation-numbers
* erj - year of publication

### Notes

* queries can be combined with "and". The use of "and" is optional, though.
* in many cases you can use the truncation sign "?"
* spaces in person names are not supported yet. Please use the truncation sign ? after the first name for several given names. E.g. "per Maas,jan?"

### Sample queries

* "marx kapital"
* "per grodke and tit db2"
* "per Maas,jan?"


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# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.jabref.org/v4/finding-sorting-and-cleaning-entries/import-using-online-bibliographic-database/gvk.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.