The Consortium of European Research Libraries (CERL) was founded in the early 1990s, a time when borders were opening and the spirit of transnational cooperation was blossoming. It brought together important European research libraries in their endeavour to use data technology to share the contents and riches of their historical collections, dating back to the middle of the 19th century, and to make our common European heritage accessible. This publication is of central importance to the history of CERL. The articles mirror the experiences and reflections of key people from the foundation years: Dr. Lotte Hellinga, the first Secretary of CERL, as well as Dr. Ann Matheson and Professor Dr. Elmar Mittler, the second and third Chairs, who integrated CERL’s activities into the European and international library context. Dr. Robert (Bob) Henderson illustrates the beginnings of the HPB, the Heritage of the Printed Book Database, highlighting data issues related to early European printed books. The authors revive the authentic atmosphere from the founding years of the international, collaborative CERL network, the strong membership organization and the dedicated community for Europe’s printed heritage that we know today.