"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.

 

1151 books out of 1797 items checked out at 12:00, 11.15.2017

[1797] Total items checked out [0452] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [0699] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[1151] Total Books [0581] Media (dvd, cd, etc.) [0002] 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


  48   [741] Drawing + drawings
  38   [641] Food + drink
  18   [917] North America
  16   [398] Folklore
  11   [747] Interior decoration
  11   [636] Animal husbandry
  11   [613] Promotion of health
  11   [616] Diseases
  9   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  8   [305] Social groups
  8   [811] Poetry
  8   [306] Culture + institutions
  7   [940] General history of Europe
  7   [551] Geology, hydrology, meteorology
  6   [895] Literatures of East + Southeast Asia
  6   [863] Spanish fiction
  5   [793] Indoor games + amusements
  5   [782] Vocal music
  5   [646] Sewing, clothing, personal living
  5   [915] Asia

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