"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.

 

1898 books out of 3160 items checked out at 16:00, 07.30.2017

[3160] Total items checked out [0875] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [1023] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[1898] Total Books [1204] Media (dvd, cd, etc.) [0024] 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


  215   [741] Drawing + drawings
  42   [641] Food + drink
  22   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  20   [745] Decorative arts
  20   [940] General history of Europe
  19   [613] Promotion of health
  18   [305] Social groups
  16   [612] Human physiology
  15   [917] North America
  15   [895] Literatures of East + Southeast Asia
  14   [973] General history of North America United States
  12   [615] Pharmacology + theraputics
  12   [306] Culture + institutions
  12   [914] Europe
  12   [158] Applied psychology
  11   [746] Textile arts
  10   [629] Other branches of engineering
  10   [153] Mental processes + intelligence
  10   [910] Geography + travel
  9   [658] General management

Hourly Histogram of Circulation Activities

View a Previous Date | 07.26 | 07.27 | 07.28 | 07.29 | 07.30 | 07.31 | 08.01 | 08.02 | 08.03 |

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