The faculty, the students, the curriculum, the university as an organization and the university library as a total system are powerful forces in determining the role of the undergraduate library. Thus, if the undergraduate library is going to provide active library service in collaboration with the teaching faculty, librarians must understand how these powerful outside elements operate. Each of the elements of the academic milieu is considered with respect to its effect on the undergraduate library. Recommendations for using this information as a positive contribution to the development of an active campaign to achieve the ideal of the undergraduate library as a teaching instrument are included. (NH)