"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.

 

0993 books out of 1568 items checked out at 12:00, 11.14.2017

[1568] Total items checked out [0370] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [0623] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[0993] Total Books [0504] 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


  50   [741] Drawing + drawings
  21   [641] Food + drink
  10   [398] Folklore
  9   [747] Interior decoration
  9   [305] Social groups
  8   [895] Literatures of East + Southeast Asia
  8   [973] General history of North America United States
  7   [551] Geology, hydrology, meteorology
  7   [636] Animal husbandry
  6   [158] Applied psychology
  6   [613] Promotion of health
  6   [617] Surgery + related medical specialities
  6   [133] Parapsychology + occultism
  5   [643] Housing + household equipment
  5   [914] Europe
  5   [746] Textile arts
  5   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  5   [811] Poetry
  5   [364] Criminology
  5   [919] Other areas

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