"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.

 

1621 books out of 2524 items checked out at 14:00, 03.23.2019

[2524] Total items checked out [0701] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [0920] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[1621] Total Books [0788] 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


  70   [741] Drawing + drawings
  69   [641] Food + drink
  27   [398] Folklore
  22   [914] Europe
  18   [158] Applied psychology
  16   [791] Public performances
  16   [616] Diseases
  14   [613] Promotion of health
  13   [917] North America
  12   [979] General history of North America Great Basin + Pacific Slope
  11   [305] Social groups
  10   [598] Aves (Birds)
  10   [811] Poetry
  10   [155] Differential + developmental psychology
  9   [940] General history of Europe
  9   [658] General management
  8   [646] Sewing, clothing, personal living
  8   [363] Other social problems + services
  7   [599] Mammalia (Mammals)
  7   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games

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