"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.

 

2518 books out of 3769 items checked out at 16:00, 03.10.2019

[3769] Total items checked out [0965] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [1553] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[2518] Total Books [1091] 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


  130   [741] Drawing + drawings
  73   [641] Food + drink
  35   [398] Folklore
  22   [305] Social groups
  19   [599] Mammalia (Mammals)
  18   [973] General history of North America United States
  18   [158] Applied psychology
  16   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  15   [915] Asia
  15   [914] Europe
  15   [155] Differential + developmental psychology
  15   [616] Diseases
  14   [650] Management + auxiliary services
  13   [613] Promotion of health
  13   [629] Other branches of engineering
  12   [591] Zoology
  12   [306] Culture + institutions
  11   [332] Financial economics
  10   [917] North America
  10   [658] General management

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