"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.

1950 books out of 2938 items checked out at 14:00, 09.17.2017

[2938] Total items checked out	[0843] Dewey (non-fiction) Books	[1107] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[1950] Total Books	[0953] Media (dvd, cd, etc.)	[0010] 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
	234		[741] Drawing + drawings
	63		[641] Food + drink
	16		[746] Textile arts
	15		[599] Mammalia (Mammals)
	15		[398] Folklore
	13		[306] Culture + institutions
	13		[940] General history of Europe
	13		[305] Social groups
	12		[917] North America
	11		[658] General management
	10		[364] Criminology
	10		[808] Rhetoric + collections of literature
	9		[332] Financial economics
	9		[646] Sewing, clothing, personal living
	9		[613] Promotion of health
	9		[158] Applied psychology
	8		[712] Landscape architecture
	8		[796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
	7		[302] Social interaction
	7		[363] Other social problems + services