"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.

 

3238 books out of 5046 items checked out at 14:00, 11.12.2017

[5046] Total items checked out [1453] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [1785] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[3238] Total Books [1689] Media (dvd, cd, etc.) [0023] 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


  381   [741] Drawing + drawings
  119   [641] Food + drink
  34   [398] Folklore
  26   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  25   [914] Europe
  22   [616] Diseases
  20   [746] Textile arts
  17   [305] Social groups
  16   [745] Decorative arts
  16   [973] General history of North America United States
  14   [613] Promotion of health
  14   [791] Public performances
  14   [158] Applied psychology
  14   [919] Other areas
  13   [364] Criminology
  12   [332] Financial economics
  12   [153] Mental processes + intelligence
  12   [658] General management
  12   [811] Poetry
  12   [782] Vocal music

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