ARCI is an acronym that stands for "Access to Restricted Circulation Items." It refers to a mechanism or system implemented by libraries or other organizations to regulate and control access to specific materials that are deemed restricted or limited in circulation. These restricted items could include rare books, valuable collections, sensitive documents, historical archives, or any other materials that require special handling or protection due to their uniqueness, significance, or fragility.
ARCI typically involves a set of rules, procedures, and safeguards put in place to ensure that only authorized individuals are granted access to these restricted items. These rules may include prerequisites such as membership, identification, or specialized training. It may also involve strict monitoring, security measures, and limited borrowing privileges to prevent loss, damage, or misuse of the materials.
The purpose of ARCI is to strike a balance between providing access to valuable resources and ensuring their preservation and longevity. By implementing such a mechanism, libraries and organizations can protect and maintain their extensive collections while still allowing researchers, scholars, or other authorized users to access and study these restricted items under controlled conditions.
In summary, ARCI refers to a system that enables controlled access to materials of limited circulation, such as rare books or historical archives, by implementing rules and procedures to safeguard their integrity and availability for future generations.
