The University of York is among the top universities in the United Kingdom, yet has not adopted all manner of electronic media. The University Library attempts to meet the demands placed upon it by its academic and student users for electronic media of all kinds, while working within a sometimes frame work that does not encourage exploitation of bleeding edge technologies. While pilot programs in electronic short loan have met with success, the University has yet to fully embrace a greater range of electronic materials provision. The acquisition of a virtual learning environment (VLE) may afford the Library the opportunity to develop its hybrid collections further, and to overcome the reluctance of academic staff to embrace new technologies.