"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.

 

1912 books out of 2796 items checked out at 11:00, 03.23.2019

[2796] Total items checked out [0690] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [1222] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[1912] Total Books [0775] Media (dvd, cd, etc.) [0005] 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


  85   [741] Drawing + drawings
  55   [641] Food + drink
  27   [398] Folklore
  17   [629] Other branches of engineering
  17   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  15   [917] North America
  15   [616] Diseases
  14   [613] Promotion of health
  14   [791] Public performances
  14   [914] Europe
  13   [158] Applied psychology
  10   [635] Garden crops (Horticulture)
  10   [636] Animal husbandry
  9   [155] Differential + developmental psychology
  9   [599] Mammalia (Mammals)
  9   [305] Social groups
  9   [577] General nature of life
  8   [306] Culture + institutions
  8   [973] General history of North America United States
  7   [591] Zoology

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