"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 3222 items checked out at 16:00, 02.17.2018

[3222] Total items checked out [0883] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [1121] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[2004] Total Books [1104] Media (dvd, cd, etc.) [0008] 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


  243   [741] Drawing + drawings
  58   [641] Food + drink
  20   [613] Promotion of health
  19   [914] Europe
  15   [599] Mammalia (Mammals)
  14   [612] Human physiology
  13   [305] Social groups
  13   [398] Folklore
  12   [158] Applied psychology
  12   [658] General management
  11   [973] General history of North America United States
  11   [616] Diseases
  10   [782] Vocal music
  10   [917] North America
  10   [332] Financial economics
  9   [303] Social processes
  8   [364] Criminology
  8   [306] Culture + institutions
  8   [635] Garden crops (Horticulture)
  8   [629] Other branches of engineering

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