"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.

1710 books out of 2896 items checked out at 13:00, 09.23.2017

[2896] Total items checked out	[0797] Dewey (non-fiction) Books	[0913] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[1710] Total Books	[1136] Media (dvd, cd, etc.)	[0008] 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
	226		[741] Drawing + drawings
	61		[641] Food + drink
	16		[658] General management
	15		[305] Social groups
	13		[917] North America
	11		[746] Textile arts
	11		[616] Diseases
	10		[158] Applied psychology
	10		[914] Europe
	10		[915] Asia
	10		[398] Folklore
	9		[791] Public performances
	9		[792] Stage presentations
	9		[745] Decorative arts
	8		[895] Literatures of East + Southeast Asia
	7		[362] Social welfare problems + services
	7		[523] Specific celestial bodies + phenomena
	6		[759] Historical, areas, persons treatment
	6		[940] General history of Europe
	6		[747] Interior decoration