The Library of the College of Europe in Natolin was established in April 1993 during the Charles IV Promotion (1992/93). In its initial form it consisted of a collection of approximately 300 books. Thorough initial consultations with the users and the Library in Bruges then led to the establishment of the central core of the Periodicals Department collection (in the initial stage of the Library activity it comprised 70 periodical titles only). At the same time the Natolin Library was granted double-language status as a European Documentation Centre (EDC) by the European Commission, for both French and English language versions of the documentation.

In 1998 the Library implemented a computer network with permanent access to the internet which led to intensive development of electronic resources. In 1999 the Library Intranet “Leonardo” was launched ensuring the users of the Library quick electronic access to information on Library collections and activities as well as to a wide range of electronic information resources. In 2002 the security system was implemented. At the beginning of 2004 the Library began preparations for implementation of the automated system Horizon.

The first Head Librarian was Jan Vandamme, librarian detaché from Bruges. Mr Vandamme was responsible for running the Library between March 1994 and June 1996. His primary tasks were the creation of acquisition profiles as well as the establishment of business contacts with the main book and periodical suppliers. Mr Vandamme left the College of Europe in 1998 and now works in Dublin at the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions in its Information Services department.

From July 1996 the Library has been run by Wiktor T. Pozniak, who formerly worked as a librarian responsible for the collection of periodicals.