The dataset I chose to work with is “Library Items Circulated 2006-2015,” which is a data visualization in a graphical form of the number of library items circulated, which is based on the “CAFR 2015 Operating Indicators And Capital Assets For Dataviz.” It indicates the text and numbers associated, separated by year, and shown in a final line graph (this constitutes records in this dataset); the number value of each year corresponds to the number of library items circulated, though this unfortunately does not identify what those library items may consist of… this seems to be of a great loss to understanding fully what each library circulates. The values/records range from about 14-16 million. I would have liked to see further insight into what kinds of books are circulated more or less each year.
Using Wallack and Srinivasan’s definition of “ontology,” it is simple to identify that this dataset’s ontology comprises of factual data from the database of the LA Controller’s Office, using their policies, which are not necessarily explicitly mentioned in this dataset. Perhaps the ontology, means of data collection based on values, of the LA Controller’s Office was merely to collect the data in a fair and correct manner, whatever that may have meant to them… Srinivasan in particular uses an organic means of data collection, and aims to collect data from the community members it affects the most. Considering this dataset has to do with library archiving, I would assume that archivists or librarians would benefit the most from this dataset. Perhaps also politicians, policymakers, or unionists may find this data the most useful and illuminating due to being able to allocate funds accurately and fairly to the city’s library workers.
This dataset tells us that though the number of library items took a dip from 2010 to 2013, it looks as though library item circulation is increasing in more recent years, giving me hope that literacy and fact-finding is still being promoted throughout the city and its academic sources. I wonder what kinds of articles, books, textbooks, or archives are included in each year’s circulation. These facts are what is left out the most by this limited data set.
From a grade school teacher’s perspective, I would promote an ontology for this dataset that includes records such as genres collected, and by whom. I would like to know what ages of children are drawn to certain types of books or novels, or other media, and I would perhaps implement this into my school curriculum, to promote reading and high literacy levels. The ontology would include a more specific dataset, as to better understand how the city of Los Angeles could also better include certain types of books for certain age groups and locales in the process of teaching and socialization.