Perhaps the formal museum community is missing an opportunity here.
Many private collectors with significant collections would welcome the
opportunity to access the knowledge and expertise to record, care for,
and develop a long term plan for their collection.  Although this
knowledge is sequestered behind institutional walls, I have seen very
little effort to outreach to these people.

        A recent seminar series offered by the Smithsonian (to small and
emerging museums not collectors) has myself and others on a waiting
list to pay over $300 per seminar.  Such a resource sharing program
can be geared to bring revenue to the institution, provide collectors
with improved collection care skills, and create links between the
institution and the collector which may be mutually beneficial in the
future.   The waiting list indicates a demand greater than the current
ability to meet it.

        Opportunities also exist for conservators to share expertise with
collectors much the same way computer training is offered to the
public today.  Along with the training a hightened awarness of when
and how to make use of  professional conservators could be developed.

Wayne Hart
Museum of Valor