"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.

 

2062 books out of 3467 items checked out at 14:00, 02.24.2018

[3467] Total items checked out [0908] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [1154] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[2062] Total Books [1261] Media (dvd, cd, etc.) [0022] 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


  200   [741] Drawing + drawings
  69   [641] Food + drink
  21   [746] Textile arts
  19   [613] Promotion of health
  18   [332] Financial economics
  17   [398] Folklore
  17   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  15   [635] Garden crops (Horticulture)
  14   [612] Human physiology
  14   [973] General history of North America United States
  14   [616] Diseases
  13   [306] Culture + institutions
  13   [793] Indoor games + amusements
  13   [363] Other social problems + services
  12   [914] Europe
  12   [811] Poetry
  11   [745] Decorative arts
  11   [158] Applied psychology
  10   [917] North America
  8   [428] Standard English usage

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