Sites like librarything and vufind and other library catalogs provide a glimpse of what OPACs will probably look like in the next few years. Standardized metadata, usually pulled from OCLC or a similar service, enhanced by user generated finding aids such as tags, reviews, and recommendation algorithms.
Its a good model, one that makes sure the reliable metadata is in place while allowing for the finding aids that patrons like. But am I alone in feeling slightly... jealous... of the patrons?
At this point things are rarely classified at the local level, and soon it may be mostly the purview of users. Of course, this is a great thing. There is an obvious need for a user friendly, population and geographic area-specific subject system. Creating this for just one library is the work of a lifetime for one person, so in terms of locally specific cataloging web 2.0 technologies are a savior.
I'm just a little sad, I guess, to have to surrender my romantic image of the lone local cataloger, a pale, eccentrically dressed access point to information for thousands s/he never sees. But I think that probably actually disappeared in the 60s, so web 2.0 is a good chance to get a little of the magic back.
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