It sounds to me as if there is a larger problem at your place than simply deciding whether or not it is proper to exhibit local people's collections. It would seem that you have a problem attracting repeat visitation from the locals. There are a number of ways to deal with this, but the easiest one is to make the place more "friendly" to repeat visitors, by offering a generous membership program that allows unlimited visits, varied programming so that locals know that there is always something new going on at the museum, and the buy-in that comes when members of the community serve on the board and other institutional committees (in South Dakota--my last job--we had a community lay collections committee, made up of an attorney, an auctioneer, and an arts advocate). On the matter of using community collections, you may be able to deflect this idea by suggesting that your ample collections be "supplemented" by specific objects borrowed from the community, when the subject matter is appropriate and it fits with the exhibit. Like you, I would be loathe to simply turn over the museum to community collectors as their own private gallery. Another thing you might consider is to have a "collector's day" at the museum. Collectors in town can bring in their own collections (perhaps you can select a theme) and set up tables. They can then explain their collections to visitors (they love it). Again, in South Dakota, we did an exhibit themed on collecting (and showed odd and unusual artifacts that the museum, and other museums across the state, had collected). There was a special event centered around collecting during which collectors came in and showed their stuff--there were beer cans, rocks, butterflys, and a number of other varied collections. It was well-attended. I always worry about museum management when they suggest bringing in outside collections for exhibit. Is it possible that the managers at your museum don't really know the depth and breadth of your collection? Hold fast to the basic principle, but get creative. Good luck! Claudia Nicholson Curator Museum Collections Department Minnesota Historical Society 345 Kellogg Blvd. W. St. Paul, MN 55102-1906 e-mail: [log in to unmask] Phone: 651-297-7442 FAX: 651-297-2967 ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ museum-l.html. You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).