"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.

 

2004 books out of 3305 items checked out at 15:00, 11.19.2017

[3305] Total items checked out [0925] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [1079] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[2004] Total Books [1190] Media (dvd, cd, etc.) [0005] 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


  276   [741] Drawing + drawings
  61   [641] Food + drink
  27   [398] Folklore
  18   [746] Textile arts
  16   [306] Culture + institutions
  15   [616] Diseases
  15   [613] Promotion of health
  14   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  12   [332] Financial economics
  11   [158] Applied psychology
  11   [636] Animal husbandry
  10   [394] General customs
  10   [914] Europe
  10   [646] Sewing, clothing, personal living
  10   [591] Zoology
  9   [910] Geography + travel
  9   [782] Vocal music
  9   [597] Cold-blooded vertebrates Fishes
  9   [305] Social groups
  9   [649] Child rearing + home care of sick

Hourly Histogram of Circulation Activities

View a Previous Date | 11.15 | 11.16 | 11.17 | 11.18 | 11.19 | 11.20 | 11.21 | 11.22 | 11.23 |

George Legrady, with Andreas Schlegel and August Black. This active webpage has been operational since October 2005