"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.

 

2777 books out of 4531 items checked out at 14:00, 03.03.2018

[4531] Total items checked out [1311] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [1466] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[2777] Total Books [1610] Media (dvd, cd, etc.) [0020] 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


  265   [741] Drawing + drawings
  93   [641] Food + drink
  36   [523] Specific celestial bodies + phenomena
  35   [914] Europe
  30   [616] Diseases
  30   [973] General history of North America United States
  30   [917] North America
  22   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  20   [158] Applied psychology
  19   [305] Social groups
  18   [746] Textile arts
  18   [811] Poetry
  15   [520] Astronomy + allied sciences
  15   [398] Folklore
  14   [155] Differential + developmental psychology
  13   [508] Natural history
  13   [791] Public performances
  12   [646] Sewing, clothing, personal living
  12   [332] Financial economics
  12   [306] Culture + institutions

Hourly Histogram of Circulation Activities

View a Previous Date | 02.27 | 02.28 | 03.01 | 03.02 | 03.03 | 03.04 | 03.05 | 03.06 | 03.07 |

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