A reaction to your comment about the languishing catalog,

While the human interface of library catalogs has changed since the early Seventies, the vision of what the catalog is hasn’t changed. The catalog is like that old used car that libraries have so much invested in, both fiscally and emotionally, that they do not dare trade it in for a new model. Libraries approach to incorporating Web 2.0 is like putting fancy rims and tires on a 1970 Chevy. Much like the hybrid car, even the addition of newer ‘discovery layers’ is simply a transitional technology.

The service/system/environment you created with LibraryThing stands in stark contrast. You ‘get’ that LibraryThing is in the ‘transportation’ business, not the car business. People are drawn to and want to participate. Meanwhile, libraries need to “RickRoll” customers into ‘playing’ with the catalog.

The way libraries envision the role and architecture of the catalog needs to change or
libraries may be left with a broken down catalog that requires replacement parts that are hard, if not impossible, to find.