Why does an academic research library, emphasizing bioscience topics, decide to alter access to periodical literature relevant to that subject? This paper discusses how and why a change was made, resulting in access to articles via compact disc (CD-ROM) and not current hard copy issues received on subscription. Issue use and cost are primary determinants, but the impact of the role of the research collection as an interlibrary loan lender is also addressed. Although the University of Alaska at Fairbanks is not large, its library does support doctoral research. Space and cost considerations made library planners question the need for many subscriptions. The library's success with another CD-ROM product influenced the decision to use ADONIS. To fulfill its role as lender in the area, the university has cataloged all the ADONIS titles on its bibliographic utility and holdings database and has assumed responsibility for satisfying loan requirements for all these titles. Experiences with the first 9 months of ADONIS use have justified the planners' expectations. (Author/SLD)