Attempts to summarily define conservation for the non-conservator. The primary activities of the conservator focuses on specific tasks and philosophies as they are applied to the parallel activities of preservation and restoration. The role of science in conservation describes the application of science to conservation as well as some of the recent technologies that are available to conservators. The education of conservators largely determines their initial attitudes. The training of conservators presents a brief history of conservation training and an overview of present-day practices: their strengths and their omissions. Conservation services examines the way in which conservation units may be incorporated into the museum organization and discusses some of the difficulties that may be encountered. It goes on to describe the characteristics of the systems by which regional and national conservation services may be delivered. The conservator as museologist focuses on interaction with other museum professionals. Benefits and potential problems are frankly discussed and difficulties are analyzed. The future introduces some of the developments that may be encountered by future conservators.