The HPB Database (previously called the Hand Press Book Database) is a steadily growing collection of files of catalogue records from major European and North American research libraries covering items of European printing of the hand-press period (c.1455-c.1830) integrated into one file. This makes it possible for information to be retrieved in one single search across all files. As the digitisation of collections in contributing libraries progresses, more and more catalogue records point to digital presentations of the early printed books.

The HPB Database is of interest to librarians and any one else with academic pursuits across many fields of study that use printed books as source material. It is especially valuable for research in intellectual history, social history, and transmission of thought — as well as in the history of printing and the history of the book. It may be accessed for information retrieval and downloading by CERL member institutions, their staff and users.