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