"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.

 

1503 books out of 2330 items checked out at 17:00, 01.16.2019

[2330] Total items checked out [0683] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [0820] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[1503] Total Books [0747] Media (dvd, cd, etc.) [0013] 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


  97   [741] Drawing + drawings
  65   [641] Food + drink
  27   [973] General history of North America United States
  15   [613] Promotion of health
  15   [158] Applied psychology
  15   [306] Culture + institutions
  13   [362] Social welfare problems + services
  13   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  12   [636] Animal husbandry
  10   [658] General management
  10   [305] Social groups
  10   [398] Folklore
  9   [394] General customs
  9   [811] Poetry
  9   [917] North America
  9   [914] Europe
  9   [599] Mammalia (Mammals)
  8   [791] Public performances
  8   [372] Elementary education
  8   [747] Interior decoration

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