Circulation is the process by which physical records are requested for, picked, checked out, delivered, and returned. This process varies depending on whether the file room operations are centralized or decentralized. In centralized file room operations, users gain access to records only through the records management staff. 

Figure: Centralized Circulation

In decentralized operations, users are accustomed to accessing, locating, and checking out records by themselves.

Figure: Decentralized Circulation