# circulation

> in collections management, lending items from a collection

**Wikidata**: [Q117084887](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117084887)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/circulation

## Summary
Circulation is the process of lending items from a collection within the field of collections management. It serves as a specific subclass of management activities that facilitate the movement and use of collection materials through the use of circulation records.

## Key Facts
- Circulation is defined as the act of lending items from a collection.
- It is a formal subclass of collections management.
- The process utilizes a specific documentation tool known as a circulation record.
- It is part of a broader management framework that includes acquisition, curation, and deaccessioning.
- The Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT) identifies this entity with the ID 300155326.
- The entity is documented in the Cantonese Wikipedia (zh_yue).
- Collections management, the parent class of circulation, maintains a sitelink count of 5.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of circulation?
A: The primary function of circulation is the lending of items from a collection. It allows for the managed distribution of materials to users or other entities.

### Q: How is circulation documented?
A: Circulation activities are documented using a circulation record. This tool is used to track the status and location of items as they are lent from the collection.

### Q: Where does circulation fit within the lifecycle of a collection?
A: Circulation is a subclass of collections management. It operates alongside other core processes such as acquisition, curation, and deaccessioning to oversee the lifecycle of collection items.

## Why It Matters
Circulation is a critical component of collections management that enables the active use of a collection's assets. By facilitating the lending of items, it ensures that a collection serves its purpose beyond simple storage. This process is a structured management activity that relies on specific tools, such as circulation records, to maintain accountability and oversight. 

As a subclass of collections management, circulation works in tandem with acquisition, curation, and deaccessioning. While those functions focus on bringing items in, organizing them, or removing them, circulation focuses on the external utility of the items. The professional recognition of circulation, evidenced by its inclusion in the Art & Architecture Thesaurus (ID 300155326), underscores its importance as a standardized practice in the field. It provides the necessary framework for tracking the movement of items, which is essential for the long-term integrity and preservation of any managed collection. Without a formal circulation process, the ability to lend items while maintaining professional standards of oversight would be compromised.

## Notable For
- **Professional Classification:** Recognized as a formal subclass of the collections management process.
- **Standardized Identification:** Assigned the unique Art & Architecture Thesaurus ID 300155326.
- **Operational Requirement:** Specifically requires the use of a circulation record for the tracking of lent items.
- **Functional Distinction:** Distinguished from other collections management tasks like acquisition and deaccessioning by its specific focus on lending.

## Body

### Classification and Hierarchy
Circulation is categorized as a subclass of collections management. It exists within a professional hierarchy of tasks designed to oversee a collection. This hierarchy includes:
- Acquisition
- Curation
- Circulation (Lending)
- Deaccessioning

### Operational Framework
The primary activity of circulation is the lending of items. To maintain the standards of collections management, this process uses a circulation record. This record serves as the primary data point for tracking the movement of items out of the collection and ensuring their eventual return or proper status update.

### Professional Standards and Documentation
Circulation is recognized in international professional taxonomies. It is identified by the Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT) under ID 300155326. While it has a sitelink count of 1, it is documented in specific linguistic contexts, including the zh_yue (Cantonese) Wikipedia. Its parent class, collections management, is more broadly documented with a sitelink count of 5.