"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.

 

2500 books out of 3538 items checked out at 16:00, 03.24.2019

[3538] Total items checked out [0923] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [1577] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[2500] Total Books [0927] Media (dvd, cd, etc.) [0009] 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


  98   [741] Drawing + drawings
  77   [641] Food + drink
  25   [398] Folklore
  22   [306] Culture + institutions
  21   [305] Social groups
  18   [629] Other branches of engineering
  17   [914] Europe
  17   [613] Promotion of health
  16   [616] Diseases
  16   [973] General history of North America United States
  15   [158] Applied psychology
  15   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  14   [811] Poetry
  14   [910] Geography + travel
  14   [650] Management + auxiliary services
  14   [917] North America
  12   [747] Interior decoration
  12   [599] Mammalia (Mammals)
  12   [658] General management
  11   [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