The Lives and Deaths of Academic Library Staplers

Documenting the destruction of public staplers at an academic library reference desk.
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This Stanley Bostitch 606 did not survive Final Exams Week.

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Found at the reference desk.

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Swingline Clinch stapleless stapler.

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Flamingo stapler by yoobi.

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This gifted novelty stapler will soon be the alpha of the library’s reference desk collection. The resin-cast “faux stone” wolf stapler is heavy, weighing in at 13.9 ounces.

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Swingline 747 in lipstick red. ❤️

This vintage Swingline 27 tan stapler was found in a desk drawer in Acquisitions during preparations for an office move.

This vintage Swingline 27 tan stapler was found in a desk drawer in Acquisitions during preparations for an office move.

This shimmering metallic beauty was a gift from a colleague. Look for it at the reference desk in the spring semester.

This shimmering metallic beauty was a gift from a colleague. Look for it at the reference desk in the spring semester.

This tiny stapler was part of a promotional freebie kit from referenceUSA distributed at last week’s Charleston Library Conference. The quarter is for scale. The kit also included a tiny hole punch, tiny sticky notes, tiny tape dispenser, paperclips, and rubber bands. (Thanks to my colleague for grabbing this one for me.)

Today was a good mail day. A new Optima 70 electric stapler is being unleashed at the library’s reference desk. It has a 70 page capacity and a “Jam Free Guarantee.”