CNN iReport

So it is not like the offices of most library directors.  I am the director of the Kresge Business Administration Library at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.  I have a nice colorful office!

Long and short of it, I started collecting happy meal toys before my kids were born (they are now 12 and 14).  I am a bit of a pack-rat and started putting out toys in my offices at the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania (in Pittsburgh) and a smaller collection at the Baseball Hall of Fame, when I was there for two years.  After a stint working as a software trainer (home based), I too a job at the University of Toledo.  By then, my kids were deep into the Happy Meal ages and they would lose interest in the toys in about two days.  So I would bring them to work.  You can see what I did at Toledo. 

My office at Michigan was setup by my kids (Jeremy and Chris) and I continue to expand the collection from the toys given up by nieces and nephews.  Actually, I just received a box of toys from my mother who will only eat happy meals (for a less filling and fat-laden meal). 

The collection (if that is indeed the word to use) is made up of not only happy meal toys (all restaurants), but any small toy that fits in.  One of my favorites are the Axis of Evil finger puppets and I have a special place for toys given to me by students or colleagues.  I have two big boxes that I need to fit in there and ran out of shelf space. The one thing that is great is that it provides color to the office.