There is a fundamental dichotomy between conservation and access. The ambiguity which clouds discussion on the issue starts with the selection process. Who selects what for whom. Librarians are trained to be objective in the selection process using tried and tested tools. Much material from the mid-19th century is in an unusable state and until really cheap mass deacidification or paper strengthening programmes are started, conservation must rely on microform to supply the user with required material. Digitisation is no substitute for the microform. Increasing use of personal computers will familiarise our readers with material outside their specific sphere of interest and will stimulate demand for access to original material. Conservation of some art forms distorts the artist’s intention and should be avoided. Research has demonstrated that the environmental conditions for storage are more flexible than hitherto believed. This will have a bearing on international loan exhibitions. Librarians and conservators should make common cause to serve the user and allow maximum appropriate access.