"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.

 

1613 books out of 2608 items checked out at 16:00, 03.23.2019

[2608] Total items checked out [0707] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [0906] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[1613] Total Books [0905] Media (dvd, cd, etc.) [0012] 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


  128   [741] Drawing + drawings
  40   [641] Food + drink
  17   [398] Folklore
  17   [332] Financial economics
  16   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  15   [791] Public performances
  15   [914] Europe
  14   [635] Garden crops (Horticulture)
  13   [658] General management
  13   [917] North America
  13   [306] Culture + institutions
  12   [973] General history of North America United States
  10   [895] Literatures of East + Southeast Asia
  10   [158] Applied psychology
  9   [616] Diseases
  8   [363] Other social problems + services
  7   [612] Human physiology
  7   [793] Indoor games + amusements
  7   [940] General history of Europe
  6   [155] Differential + developmental psychology

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