Those stubby little pencils that all reference and circulation desks give out. They used the same kind when I was in college 3-5 years ago. What are they called? What is their history? How many does Duke buy per year? [3597C]
[written in answer space: “History–I have seen this type of pencil used for score cards at most golf courses”]
[written in original hand: “Interesting. But did libraries come first?”]
Duke only buys one very, very long one each year and staff cut it into “stubby little pencils” (both technical name and accepted vernacular). It’s brought in on a series of flat bed trucks, usually in late July, and dis(as)sembled and sharpened at Wallace Wade Stadium.