diff --git a/scikits/image/io/_plugins/plugin.py b/scikits/image/io/_plugins/plugin.py
index a5ca599f..58f51a7b 100644
--- a/scikits/image/io/_plugins/plugin.py
+++ b/scikits/image/io/_plugins/plugin.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ from glob import glob
 plugin_store = {'imread': [],
                 'imsave': [],
                 'imshow': [],
+                'imread_collection': [],
                 '_app_show': []}
 
 plugin_provides = {}
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ def call(kind, *args, **kwargs):
 
     Parameters
     ----------
-    kind : {'show', 'save', 'read'}
+    kind : {'imshow', 'imsave', 'imread', 'imread_collection'}
         Function to look up.
     plugin : str, optional
         Plugin to load.  Defaults to None, in which case the first
@@ -94,7 +95,7 @@ def use(name, kind=None):
     ----------
     name : str
         Name of plugin.
-    kind : {'save', 'read', 'show'}, optional
+    kind : {'imsave', 'imread', 'imshow', 'imread_collection'}, optional
         Set the plugin for this function.  By default,
         the plugin is set for all functions.
 
diff --git a/scikits/image/io/_plugins/test_plugin.ini b/scikits/image/io/_plugins/test_plugin.ini
index e13b6ad9..76cf7d6f 100644
--- a/scikits/image/io/_plugins/test_plugin.ini
+++ b/scikits/image/io/_plugins/test_plugin.ini
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
 [test]
 description = Test plugin
-provides = imsave, imshow, imread
-
+provides = imsave, imshow, imread, imread_collection
diff --git a/scikits/image/io/_plugins/test_plugin.py b/scikits/image/io/_plugins/test_plugin.py
index dbdd542c..ba623833 100644
--- a/scikits/image/io/_plugins/test_plugin.py
+++ b/scikits/image/io/_plugins/test_plugin.py
@@ -9,3 +9,7 @@ def imsave(fname, arr):
 def imshow(arr, plugin_arg=None):
     assert arr == [1, 2, 3]
     assert plugin_arg == (1, 2)
+
+def imread_collection(x, conserve_memory=True):
+    assert conserve_memory == False
+    assert x == '*.png'
diff --git a/scikits/image/io/io.py b/scikits/image/io/io.py
index 37b73686..ad83577c 100644
--- a/scikits/image/io/io.py
+++ b/scikits/image/io/io.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-__all__ = ['imread', 'imsave', 'imshow', 'show', 'push', 'pop']
+__all__ = ['imread', 'imread_collection', 'imsave', 'imshow', 'show',
+           'push', 'pop']
 
 from scikits.image.io._plugins import call as call_plugin
 from scikits.image.color import rgb2grey
@@ -75,6 +76,36 @@ def imread(fname, as_grey=False, plugin=None, flatten=None,
 
     return img
 
+def imread_collection(load_pattern, conserve_memory=True,
+                      plugin=None, **plugin_args):
+    """
+    Load a collection of images.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    load_pattern : str or list
+        List of objects to load. These are usually filenames, but may
+        vary depending on the currently active plugin.  See the docstring
+        for ``ImageCollection`` for the default behaviour of this parameter.
+    conserve_memory : bool, optional
+        If True, never keep more than one in memory at a specific
+        time.  Otherwise, images will be cached once they are loaded.
+
+    Returns
+    -------
+    ic : ImageCollection
+        Collection of images.
+
+    Other parameters
+    ----------------
+    plugin_args : keywords
+        Passed to the given plugin.
+
+    """
+    return call_plugin('imread_collection', load_pattern, conserve_memory,
+                       plugin=plugin, **plugin_args)
+
+
 def imsave(fname, arr, plugin=None, **plugin_args):
     """Save an image to file.
 
diff --git a/scikits/image/io/tests/test_plugin.py b/scikits/image/io/tests/test_plugin.py
index d4ee9db8..06a6eb41 100644
--- a/scikits/image/io/tests/test_plugin.py
+++ b/scikits/image/io/tests/test_plugin.py
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ class TestPlugin:
     def test_show(self):
         io.imshow([1, 2, 3], plugin_arg=(1, 2), plugin='test')
 
+    def test_collection(self):
+        io.imread_collection('*.png', conserve_memory=False, plugin='test')
+
     def test_use(self):
         plugin.use('test')
         plugin.use('test', 'imshow')