The following thoughts  are derived from the 'On Collecting' and
'Rethinking Collecting' sessions at this conference.  The statements are in
answer to the following phrase:

Museums in formulating a strategy for collecting should therefore ...

Require that the reasons why objects are acquired are fully documented


Review collecting policy and make it more flexible



Objects contain potential for interpretation in different ways in the light
of different information

Appreciate that both information and objects are necessary

Investigate the full potential of video as an adjunct to the collecting and
interpretation of museum objects

Use video with other media to support and enhance the object

Embrace IT for collections management and to enhance public access and
experience of the museum

Take into consideration the role IT will have in their organisation.  This
should be clear to staff and they must plan in accordance with that
decision

Exist and be allowed to develop in a culture which acknowledges risk taking
as  a vital part of a healthy acquisitions policy

Continue to collect contemporary culture on the basis of criteria developed
within the institution with an emphasis on documentation of why / why not
and how objects were acquired

Form co-operative links with private collections and spread information
about these collections

Not be daunted but just get on with the job

Acknowledge that spiritual beliefs and/or cultural sensitivities may
prohibit the collection of certain artefacts

Be honest about the extent to which the collection does not represent the
whole of the cultural phenomenon

Prioritise acquisition policy in cooperation with other museums

Make information on collections available

Acknowledge the implications of past collecting practices insofar as they
are relevant to the framework of present and future collecting policies

Develop aims and objectives based on a sound knowledge of existing
collections

Investigate sharing collections through national anbd internatinal
databases

Consider the limitations of their collecting policies when seeking to
acquire private collections.  Museums need policies to guide their
collections and acquisitions to he collection

Bridge the gap between private and public collections, providing a network
for collectors; making public consultation in acquisition

Be a greater awareness of coltural developments, should be publicly,
politically and financially accountable and draw on and encourage expertise
from curators and directors, and undertake external consultation with othe
relevant bodies such as museums and galleries.

identify and define their stakeholders recognising that their influence can
be both positive and negative

Curators should be encouraged to make the best use of positive stakeholder
influence

Stop accumulating, start collecting and begin to display with no respect to
academic discipline.  Mix things up and have some fun

Museums in formulating a strategy for collecting should therefore ...


Take into account the likely effects of virtual reality and other new IT
developments

Be certain of their missions in the modern world and live up o their
rhetoric

To acknowledge the multiplicity of narratives around objects within the
museum

Incorporate into our working practice communities as a source of knowledge
and information

Be aware of the fact that there is no coherent view of the past - they
should try to make their visitors aware of this