This paper discusses the discipline of conservation as it has been viewed by others, as conservators have perceived themselves, and how both have affected the involvement of conservators in discussions concerning the loan of display of works of art. When a work of art is acquired by a federal, provincial, or civic gallery, it is held in public trust to be used as part of the gallery's public programmes; at the same time, the gallery has a responsibility to preserve that work of art as part of our visual art heritage. The author indicates that resolution of these two somewhat conflicting functions is the shared responsibility of all gallery staff who are involved in the care and use of public collections. Conservation responsibilities at the National Gallery of Canada are outlined briefly. The importance of clear communication between the curator and conservator, those primarily responsible for the care and treatment of works of art, is stressed. The somewhat different problems involved in the treatment of contemporary art are discussed briefly. The paper suggests that by working together at an early stage in the organization of an exhibition, installation, or in the processing of a loan request, conservators, curators, conservation scientists, education officers, registrars, and art handlers can ensure that works of art are effectively and fully used in a wide variety of public programmes, while reducing the risks of damage and deterioration to those same works of art when they are being handled or are on display.