"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.

 

2029 books out of 3205 items checked out at 15:00, 02.18.2018

[3205] Total items checked out [0942] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [1087] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[2029] Total Books [1042] 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


  311   [741] Drawing + drawings
  47   [641] Food + drink
  22   [616] Diseases
  16   [613] Promotion of health
  15   [914] Europe
  14   [811] Poetry
  13   [973] General history of North America United States
  13   [398] Folklore
  12   [158] Applied psychology
  11   [618] Gynecology + other medical specialities
  10   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  10   [646] Sewing, clothing, personal living
  10   [305] Social groups
  10   [650] Management + auxiliary services
  8   [791] Public performances
  8   [747] Interior decoration
  8   [635] Garden crops (Horticulture)
  8   [917] North America
  7   [621] Applied physics
  7   [658] General management

Hourly Histogram of Circulation Activities

View a Previous Date | 02.14 | 02.15 | 02.16 | 02.17 | 02.18 | 02.19 | 02.20 | 02.21 | 02.22 |

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