If they sell or take out loans against (and, hypothetically, default on those loans) they have failed in their primary task, to steward their collection. They'

If they sell or take out loans against (and, hypothetically, default on those loans) they have failed in their primary task, to steward their collection. They're putting art and history, and, critically, many people's ability to learn from and appreciate that art and history 100, 200, 1000 years from now, above a few employee paychecks for a few months. Public institutions should take a long-term view of their public duty.