"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.

 

0745 books out of 1217 items checked out at 19:00, 01.22.2019

[1217] Total items checked out [0407] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [0338] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[0745] Total Books [0437] Media (dvd, cd, etc.) [0005] 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


  64   [741] Drawing + drawings
  28   [641] Food + drink
  12   [158] Applied psychology
  9   [746] Textile arts
  9   [398] Folklore
  8   [613] Promotion of health
  8   [306] Culture + institutions
  8   [646] Sewing, clothing, personal living
  7   [362] Social welfare problems + services
  7   [759] Historical, areas, persons treatment
  6   [591] Zoology
  6   [305] Social groups
  6   [658] General management
  5   [650] Management + auxiliary services
  5   [811] Poetry
  5   [973] General history of North America United States
  5   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  5   [745] Decorative arts
  5   [320] Political science
  4   [967] General history of Africa Central Africa + offshore islands

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