"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.

 

1566 books out of 2375 items checked out at 15:00, 11.28.2017

[2375] Total items checked out [0679] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [0887] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[1566] Total Books [0736] Media (dvd, cd, etc.) [0010] 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


  150   [741] Drawing + drawings
  51   [641] Food + drink
  23   [746] Textile arts
  19   [398] Folklore
  19   [747] Interior decoration
  18   [591] Zoology
  16   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  11   [917] North America
  10   [940] General history of Europe
  10   [745] Decorative arts
  8   [305] Social groups
  8   [599] Mammalia (Mammals)
  8   [811] Poetry
  8   [914] Europe
  7   [362] Social welfare problems + services
  7   [613] Promotion of health
  7   [158] Applied psychology
  6   [330] Economics
  6   [629] Other branches of engineering
  6   [791] Public performances

Hourly Histogram of Circulation Activities

View a Previous Date | 11.24 | 11.25 | 11.26 | 11.27 | 11.28 | 11.29 | 11.30 | 12.01 | 12.02 |

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