"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.

1908 books out of 2852 items checked out at 14:00, 01.13.2019

[2852] Total items checked out	[0869] Dewey (non-fiction) Books	[1039] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[1908] Total Books	[0830] 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
	167		[741] Drawing + drawings
	69		[641] Food + drink
	26		[613] Promotion of health
	19		[796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
	18		[158] Applied psychology
	18		[917] North America
	14		[616] Diseases
	14		[746] Textile arts
	14		[398] Folklore
	13		[914] Europe
	13		[811] Poetry
	11		[649] Child rearing + home care of sick
	11		[629] Other branches of engineering
	10		[305] Social groups
	10		[940] General history of Europe
	10		[306] Culture + institutions
	9		[791] Public performances
	9		[759] Historical, areas, persons treatment
	9		[973] General history of North America United States
	8		[793] Indoor games + amusements