This examination of the impact of technology on the educational role of small academic libraries focuses on the information access aspect of technology. Librarians at 26 colleges in Illinois with enrollments of under 3,000 students responded to a survey which measured the libraries' access to databases through online searching and the use of CD-ROM databases. The survey investigated the types of databases used, fee charges for online database searching, amount budgeted for online searching, average number of online searches per week, CD-ROM databases currently used and those under consideration, the arrangement of CD-ROM stations, budget allocations for CD-ROM, and hardware allocations. Responses are tabulated for the survey group as a whole and separately for schools with student enrollments of less than 1,000. The findings of the survey indicate that information access is something which institutions have seriously considered and tailored to their particular needs. While cost is a major consideration for these technological acquisitions, small institutions recognize that access to information is an important function of library services. (13 references) (MAB)