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. ❤️

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

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

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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.)

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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.”

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Jamming is not tolerated in the music library. This Staples™ brand stapler was reported dead by the library’s Music Listening Viewing Center.

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This Swingline electric cartridge stapler lasted only three days. It staples once and then shoots blanks until it is disassembled and re-primed.

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This VERY expensive stapler lasted 235 days.

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This Swingline 444 stapler is dead. It is a serial jammer.

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This Swingline Tot Grip stapler was donated by a colleague who found it while cleaning out her desk. The "color bright staples" are teal.

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This stapler has recovered from a debilitating jam.

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This Swingline #444 stapler's name plate is detached and it is irreparably jammed.