ABSTRACT
Natural history collections face four main challenges: acquiring material, preserving that material, making it available for use, and making the case that the first three activities are worthy of support. These challenges are eternal ones, which have faced museums since their inception and are likely to persist for as long as museums exist. But natural history collections have undergone a quiet revolution in the last thirty years, which has the potential to create an exciting future in which collections play an even greater role in society. To say that natural history collections are facing a dynamic future that is both exciting and alarming may surprise many people. The emergence of social media and the ability of scientists to share their work with the public have resulted in valuable exposure for museums' biodiversity conservation activities, while raising uncomfortable questions concerning long-established work practices. Digital networking improves their ability to collaborate internationally.
