Informed discussion on the suitability of the hands-on use of objects in museum collections, a practice that is growing in popularity all over the Western world. The author bases his argument on knowledge gained from experiences in contact with the public and as a museum director, establishing a basic distinction between first rate museums and a large range of exhibition centers, which he then proceeds to differentiate as to nature, purposes, and priorities. He concludes that it is inappropriate to allow the public to handle objects in museums.