Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
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Welcome to the Premier Institution for Comics and Cartoon Art

The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum houses the world’s largest collection of materials related to cartoons and comics.
Collage of various comic panels.

Who is Billy Ireland?

A tireless supporter of community improvements, an avid outdoorsman, and a perceptive critic of political events.
Learn more about our namesake
Black and white candid photo of Billy Ireland inside of the Columbus Dispatch, looking out the window.

Motion Lines: How Cartoonists Draw Movement

On display May 24, 2025 - November 9, 2025
Learn more
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Write it Down, Draw it Out: The Comics Art of Carol Tyler

On display May 24, 2025 - November 9, 2025
Learn more
Carol Tyler Write it Down Draw It Out exhibit
Cartoon illustration of Calvin and Hobbes laying on the ground reading a newspaper.

We inspire the study and appreciation of cartoon and comics art.

As a cultural heritage center, we collect, preserve and make accessible materials that represent a diversity of voices for research, teaching, exhibitions, and educational programming. The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is now the largest and most comprehensive academic research facility documenting printed cartoon art. Administratively it is part of Ohio State University Libraries.

More About Us

Collections

Explore the Billy Ireland’s vast collections of original art, printed materials, archives and manuscripts, digital holdings, and much more
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Archive shelves of colorful spines of graphic novels on either side.

Exhibits

Discover the depth, creativity, and cultural significance of cartoon and comics history in our museum galleries and digital exhibits
Current and Upcoming Exhibits
Interior of Calvin and Hobbes cartoon comic gallery with comics and artwork on display.

Upcoming Programs and Events

See all Programs & Events
Jun 28 Jun 28
Workshop

Summer Saturdays: Minicomics Challenge with Jerzy Drozd

Time
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET
Location
Will Eisner Seminar Room 205
Jerzy Drozd workshop
Jul 12 Jul 12
Workshop

Summer Saturdays: What's YOUR Story? Let's Tell it in Cartoons with Ruth McNally Barshaw

Time
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET
Location
Will Eisner Seminar Room 205
Ruth Barshaw workshop
Aug 2 Aug 2
Workshop

Summer Saturdays: Design Your Own Characters: A Comics & Character Creation Workshop with Rafael Rosado

Time
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET
Location
Will Eisner Seminar Room 205
Rafael Rosado workshop
See all Programs & Events

Our Blog

Take a deeper look at our incredible collection with stories from our archive, guest posts from researchers, new acquisitions and announcements.

Explore Our Blog
Cartoon illustration of carpenter with caption bubble that reads, "here comes the carpenter."

BICLM Closures for renovations in 2025

Sullivant Hall, where the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is housed, will soon undergo necessary renovations of the building’s HVAC system.

Cartoon illustration of a person in a striped shirt, standing with a paintbrush in their mouth and holding a box of art supplies. To the right are 3 yellow smiley face illustrations with various expressions.

Cover Reveal: Facing Feelings: Inside the World of Raina Telgemeier

We’re thrilled to reveal the cover of Facing Feelings: Inside the World of Raina Telgemeier, an exciting new book from Scholastic, coming this October!

Cartoon illustration of a dog sitting in a chair in an office with a man at a desk who is looking at paper documents with his laptop open.

New Event! The New Yorker Centennial Celebration

Join us on Saturday, March 1 for a special program celebrating the centennial of The New Yorker magazine and a reception for our new exhibit, See Anyone You Know? The New Yorker Cartoons and Covers of Edward Koren!

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