DBNL is the website of the Stichting Digitale Bibliotheek voor de Nederlandse Letteren (Digital Library of Dutch Literature Foundation), established in 1999 on the initiative of the Maatschappij der Nederlandse Letterkunde (Society of Dutch Literature). The site includes unabridged texts of books and periodicals. Not just literary texts, but various scientific studies and cultural and historical sources are also on view. The selection was made in close consultation with Dutch and Flemish researchers.

Besides carrying out its own digitizing programme which is partly funded by the Nederlandse Taalunie (Dutch Language Union), the Digital Library of Dutch Literature realizes many project in cooperation with other cultural and scientific institutes.

It has also developed the website www.literatuurgeschiedenis.nl and keeps it up to date for educational purposes.