"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.

 

1506 books out of 2451 items checked out at 15:00, 09.23.2017

[2451] Total items checked out [0667] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [0839] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[1506] Total Books [0912] Media (dvd, cd, etc.) [0007] 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


  135   [741] Drawing + drawings
  54   [641] Food + drink
  16   [305] Social groups
  14   [613] Promotion of health
  12   [917] North America
  12   [306] Culture + institutions
  11   [158] Applied psychology
  11   [636] Animal husbandry
  10   [650] Management + auxiliary services
  9   [591] Zoology
  8   [398] Folklore
  8   [791] Public performances
  8   [914] Europe
  7   [513] Arithmetic
  7   [5] Computer programming
  7   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  7   [629] Other branches of engineering
  6   [303] Social processes
  6   [973] General history of North America United States
  6   [378] Higher education

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