"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.

2079 books out of 3124 items checked out at 12:00, 01.02.2019

[3124] Total items checked out	[0838] Dewey (non-fiction) Books	[1241] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[2079] Total Books	[0861] Media (dvd, cd, etc.)	[0010] 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
	203		[741] Drawing + drawings
	82		[641] Food + drink
	15		[613] Promotion of health
	14		[305] Social groups
	14		[973] General history of North America United States
	13		[158] Applied psychology
	13		[917] North America
	12		[372] Elementary education
	12		[914] Europe
	11		[811] Poetry
	11		[306] Culture + institutions
	11		[791] Public performances
	11		[915] Asia
	11		[155] Differential + developmental psychology
	11		[398] Folklore
	9		[629] Other branches of engineering
	8		[940] General history of Europe
	8		[746] Textile arts
	8		[793] Indoor games + amusements
	8		[796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games