BIX - the Library Index - is operated by the German Library Association (dbv) and the North Rhine-Westphalian Library Service Center (hbz) as part of the Expertise Network for Libraries (KNB).

The German Library Association (Deutscher Bibliotheksverband e.V.) is the professional body representing all German libraries and uniting them as equal partners, irrespective of size or sector. On behalf of its 2.000 members, it cooperates with numerous national and international committees and organizations. Its aim is to strengthen the position of libraries within politics and society, the promotion of reading and modern information techniques.

The North Rhine-Westphalian Library Service Center (Hochschulbibliothekszentrum des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen, hbz) is known as a supplier for knowledge, information and innovation in librarianship and information technology. As a regional centre for technical development and services, the hbz is a reliable partner and the principal supporter of libraries in and beyond North Rhine-Westphalia for implementing efficient information services. It offers a variety of products and services,the most important being the hbz Union Catalogue, DigiBib (The Digital Library), Digital Peer Publishing (DiPP), Electronic Interlibrary Loan and the German and Austrian Library Statistics.

The Expertise Network for Libraries (Kompetenznetzwerk für Bibliotheken, KNB) is responsible for accomplishing tasks of national significance for the German library system. It is a consortium of independent institutions that have adopted responsibility for specific services and tasks at a national level. It is funded by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK).

The Bertelsmann Foundation (Bertelsmann Stiftung) is a private operating foundation. The foundation aims to identify social problems and challenges at an early stage and develop exemplary solutions to address them. It invests its budget solely in projects that it conceives, initiates and implements itself. From 1999 to 2005 the Bertelsmann Foundation developed and operated BIX.

Partners of BIX are:

• infas Institut für Sozialwissenschaft
• B-I-T Online
• Stuttgart Media University
• Bertelsmann Foundation