Essentially, most people are agreeing on this subject. The initial messege that started this line of dialouge asked whether the people on this list who were concerned with collections ought to start a new list. It appears that collection's folk unanimously don't think such a step is necessary. This line of thought grew into a number of other questions, ignoring another concern of the original messege. The care and management of consumable collections. The reason this was ignored is perhaps because most museums don't consider consumable collections require much care or management. A comment was made that collections are primarily for exhibition (aren't they?) Well, an integrated museum, no matter its size, serves the community via preservation for exhibition... and education... and research and, let's not forget - Posterity. Thus our audience is not only in the present, but we must consider the future. This is the obligation of the museum. This is often difficult becau se our money comes from the here and now!