+# Getting Started
+
+The Nominatim search frontend can directly be used as a Python library in
+scripts and applications. When you have imported your own Nominatim database,
+then it is no longer necessary to run a full web service for it and access
+the database through http requests. With the Nominatim library it is possible
+to access all search functionality directly from your Python code. There are
+also less constraints on the kinds of data that can be accessed. The library
+allows to get access to more detailed information about the objects saved
+in the database.
+
+## Installation
+
+To use the Nominatim library, you need access to a local Nominatim database.
+Follow the [installation and import instructions](../admin/) to set up your
+database.
+
+!!! warning
+ Access to the library is currently still experimental. It is not yet
+ possible to install it in the usual way via pip or inside a virtualenv.
+ To get access to the library you need to set an appropriate PYTHONPATH.
+ With the default installation, the python library can be found under
+ `/usr/local/share/nominatim/lib-python`. If you have installed Nominatim
+ under a different prefix, adapt the `/usr/local/` part accordingly.
+ You can also point the PYTHONPATH to the Nominatim source code.
+
+ A proper installation as a Python library will follow in the next
+ version.