"Making Visible the Invisible", a data visualization commissioned by the Seattle Central Library, operational since fall 2005


This database receives by the hour all of the checkouts of books, cds, DVDs, and other material that library patrons take out of the library. The data at the library is classified in two separate categories. Non-fiction items receive a Dewey Classfication System coding, explained here: Dewey Decimal Classes. Fictional items are classified in a different way. This visualization features the top 20 most active Dewey categories. Click on each of the categories to get the chronological list of titles checked out during the previous hour.

 

1430 books out of 2125 items checked out at 14:00, 07.12.2017

[2125] Total items checked out [0686] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [0744] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[1430] Total Books [0666] Media (dvd, cd, etc.) [0006] Misc

Dewey Decimal Classification Graph

This map highlights current circulating books according to their Dewey classification category in Generalities [0-99]; Philosophy & Psychology[100-199]; Religion [200-299]; Social Science [300-399]; Language [400-499]; Natural Science & Mathematics [500-599]; Technology & Applied Sciences [600-699]; Arts [700-799]; Literature [800-899]; Geography & History [900-999].


     

The top 20 Dewey categories


  190   [741] Drawing + drawings
  34   [641] Food + drink
  20   [613] Promotion of health
  16   [812] Drama
  14   [158] Applied psychology
  14   [595] Other invertebrates
  12   [398] Folklore
  11   [917] North America
  11   [599] Mammalia (Mammals)
  10   [332] Financial economics
  9   [791] Public performances
  9   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  9   [973] General history of North America United States
  9   [305] Social groups
  8   [822] English drama
  8   [818] Miscellaneous writings
  8   [362] Social welfare problems + services
  7   [808] Rhetoric + collections of literature
  7   [940] General history of Europe
  7   [612] Human physiology

Hourly Histogram of Circulation Activities

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George Legrady, with Andreas Schlegel and August Black. This active webpage has been operational since October 2005