A lot of useful work has been undertaken in recent years with natural history collections and the web. Many online databases have been launched and there is a huge network of subject specialist web forums offering professional curatorial advice from topics as diverse as setting entomological specimens through to sourcing fossils for museum galleries. Nonetheless, although online databases may have been created through funding with the idea of making collections accessible to ‘everyone’; online museums do not, in fact, engage with the ‘web public’ at all. Museum websites do not support the kind of curiosity-based learning and wonder that natural history galleries inspire, or provide access to infectiously enthusiastic and knowledgeable natural history curators, conservators, educators, volunteers and managers.
