UNSW Library Unstacked ran from May 2021 to June 2023. The live version is no longer hosted.
UNSW Library Unstacked was a live data visualisation that displayed and interpreted usage of the UNSW Library collection in real-time, communicating the scale, breadth and depth of library research activity that is otherwise invisible. This online exhibition documents the UNSW Library Unstacked project and the physical exhibition coinciding with the launch.
Each time someone accessed an item online in the Library Collection, it was reflected in the visualisation. Every view was counted and mapped to high-level disciplines which connect with UNSW faculties, revealing the level of library research that happens across the University each day. Unstacked highlighted individual titles as they are viewed and tracked the most-viewed items in the Library each day.
This innovative intersection of data, visual communication and library science was a collaboration between UNSW Library and the Unstacked team led by visual communicator Elisa Lee. UNSW Library Unstacked builds on the original Unstacked infrastructure developed by Elisa Lee and Adam Hinshaw with a DX Lab Fellowship at the State Library of New South Wales. The Unstacked initiative transformed library spaces through the integration of innovative digital experiences.
UNSW Library Unstacked initial concept design, Elisa Lee 2019
UNSW Library Unstacked
Hero Macdonald and Jackson Mann from UNSW Library, along with Elisa Lee from the Unstacked team introduce UNSW Library Unstacked
How does unstacked work?
Items in UNSW Library’s collection aren’t automatically assigned to one of the six high-level disciplines featured in the UNSW Library Unstacked visualisation. Unstacked analyses every item that Library users click on in the catalogue online and applies a 9-step logic table to determine which category to count the view in. This infographic outlines the process of mapping collection items to disciplines.
UNSW Library Unstacked concept development, Elisa Lee 2019
Launch exhibition - installation views
An exhibition featuring working examples of the visual development of the project was presented at the Main Library to launch UNSW Library Unstacked:
Unstacked © Elisa Lee and Adam Hinshaw 2020. Online exhibition, photos and videos © The University of New South Wales.
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