Final answer:
Facilities use computer tracking systems with folders that have preprinted barcodes similar to UPC codes, which are scanned using laser-based scanners for record circulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Facilities that track record circulation often use computer tracking systems with folders preprinted with barcodes, similar to the UPC (Universal Product Code) found on retail products. These barcodes look like a UPC scanning code and are designed to be read by scanners that typically use a laser beam to interpret the data. Much like compact discs (CDs), which were introduced in the 1990s and are read by lasers that interpret reflections, barcode scanners function on a similar principle. Today, researchers will find a barcode linked to nearly any item, making the use of barcodes a universal method for tracking purposes in a variety of settings.