"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.

 

1131 books out of 1437 items checked out at 16:00, 02.09.2026

[1437] Total items checked out [0417] Dewey (non-fiction) Books [0714] Non-Dewey (fiction) Books
[1131] Total Books [0244] 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


  30   [741] Drawing + drawings
  18   [551] Geology, hydrology, meteorology
  17   [641] Food + drink
  16   [917] North America
  11   [808] Rhetoric + collections of literature
  10   [914] Europe
  10   [759] Historical, areas, persons treatment
  10   [305] Social groups
  9   [796] Athletic + outdoor sports + games
  9   [979] General history of North America Great Basin + Pacific Slope
  9   [306] Culture + institutions
  8   [636] Animal husbandry
  8   [613] Promotion of health
  7   [598] Aves (Birds)
  7   [746] Textile arts
  7   [646] Sewing, clothing, personal living
  6   [133] Parapsychology + occultism
  6   [791] Public performances
  6   [782] Vocal music
  6   [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