"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.

 

2409 books out of 3642 items checked out at 15:00, 02.25.2018

[3642] Total items checked out [1066] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [1343] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[2409] Total Books [1104] Media (dvd, cd, etc.) [0014] 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


  205   [741] Drawing + drawings
  82   [641] Food + drink
  25   [599] Mammalia (Mammals)
  21   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  20   [791] Public performances
  18   [398] Folklore
  18   [951] General history of Asia China + adjacent areas
  17   [613] Promotion of health
  15   [917] North America
  14   [158] Applied psychology
  14   [636] Animal husbandry
  14   [591] Zoology
  13   [914] Europe
  12   [612] Human physiology
  11   [153] Mental processes + intelligence
  11   [595] Other invertebrates
  11   [616] Diseases
  11   [551] Geology, hydrology, meteorology
  10   [745] Decorative arts
  10   [746] Textile arts

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