"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.

1616 books out of 2366 items checked out at 15:00, 09.20.2017

[2366] Total items checked out	[0725] Dewey (non-fiction) Books	[0891] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[1616] Total Books	[0701] 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
	233		[741] Drawing + drawings
	33		[641] Food + drink
	17		[616] Diseases
	17		[398] Folklore
	13		[158] Applied psychology
	12		[979] General history of North America Great Basin + Pacific Slope
	12		[305] Social groups
	11		[332] Financial economics
	10		[599] Mammalia (Mammals)
	10		[917] North America
	9		[791] Public performances
	9		[811] Poetry
	8		[613] Promotion of health
	8		[914] Europe
	7		[636] Animal husbandry
	7		[812] Drama
	7		[782] Vocal music
	6		[155] Differential + developmental psychology
	6		[362] Social welfare problems + services
	6		[745] Decorative arts