An experiment in exploring ways to visualize image collections from the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) and the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Online Catalog. Both sites provide access to a wide range of images across time and geography. Retrieves metadata about images of catastrophes--specifically, natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes--and provides ways to browse and explore the imagery. Includes a Pinterest-style browse, map, and ability to save selections.

Uses:

• Python scripts for connecting to the APIs and loading content into a database
• MongoDB database
• Flask with PyMongo
• LeafletJS and Leaflet.markercluster for maps
• Bootstrap
• jQuery, Masonry, Infinite-Scroll, and ImagesLoaded
• Google Fonts

Disaster View is available at: http://disasterview.laurawrubel.org

This web application was created during a three-month research leave from the George Washington University Libraries and is a work in progress.