This study investigates the availability and practicality of using affordable commercial document delivery systems instead of conventional interlibrary loan (ILL) to provide California State College, Bakersfield (CSB), Library users with periodical literature from off-site locations. The purpose, limits, conceptual framework, and importance of the study are discussed, and background issues are explored through a review of the development and current operation of CSB's ILL service, an analysis of CSB patrons' external resource demands, a review of the significant professional literature relating to document delivery, an evaluation of the performance of the document delivery segment of CSB's ILL service, and a survey of document delivery suppliers identified as potentially capable of meeting CSB's document delivery needs. Findings are analyzed and interpreted. Conclusions indicate that eight commercial document delivery services have the potential for meeting CSB's document delivery needs and deserve further evaluation and consideration for implementation, and short- and long-term recommendations for further investigation are presented. Supporting documentation is provided in eight exhibits and two appendices. Notes and an extensive bibliography are also provided. (KM)