Non-circulatable

Adjective describing something, usually a physical or digital resource like a book, journal, or file, that is restricted from being borrowed, loaned, or otherwise circulated outside of a specific designated area or system. This restriction can be due to various reasons, including its fragility, rarity, high cost, unique value, or the need to maintain its physical or digital integrity and control access for security or preservation purposes. Often found in libraries, archives, and museums, it ensures the item's continued availability for future use while balancing access needs.

Non-circulatable meaning with examples

• The rare first edition of 'Moby Dick' is marked as non-circulatable, meaning you can only view it in the library's special collections reading room. This is to protect its delicate binding and valuable provenance. The library staff handles and supervises the book's use to ensure its long-term preservation and the accessibility of such valuable historical items.
• Due to copyright restrictions, the digital images within the online archive of the museum are non-circulatable; although you can view the online exhibit, you cannot download or reuse them without proper licensing. The museum protects their intellectual property and prevents unauthorized reproduction of the exhibit.
• The government documents, classified as top-secret are non-circulatable; any access or data taken is strictly controlled to ensure sensitive national security matters are not compromised and are held in a safe and secure manner.
• Older, fragile map are often non-circulatable for this reason, as the risk of damage from handling and repeated use is too high. These items are accessible for research through a supervised process that minimizes the risk of harm.
• For legal reasons the court documents are non-circulatable, with access limited to authorized personnel within the legal system, as privacy and information security is of paramount importance.