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

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