Librarian-less public access library systems?

Off and on over the years I've found myself thinking the following about
public access library systems development: "what would happen if you put
software designers/developers and library users in a room together and
locked the doors so that no librarians could get in?"

I'm usually half-joking when I say this, but I was wondering if anyone
has ever tried or considered such an experiment with minimal librarian
participation in the design and development of library systems meant for
public use?

Bernie Sloan
E-mail: bernies_at_uillinois.edu