The Ohio State University, Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum was established in 1977 as the Milton Caniff Reading Room. It was originally located in the campus’s Journalism Building. The collection initially was founded with the gift of papers and artwork from Ohio State University alumnus, cartoonist Milton Caniff. In 1989, the name was changed several times to the Library for Communication and Graphic Arts; the Cartoon, Graphic, and Photographic Arts Research Library; and the Cartoon Research Library. The institution's name changed in 2009 to the Cartoon Library and Museum in July, and again in September of the same year to the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum.

Notable collections within the Cartoon Library include art and manuscripts from famous cartoonists, the International Museum of Cartoon Art collection, Bill Blackbeard’s San Francisco Academy of Comic Art collection, and an extensive collection of Japanese manga, along with many others. As of 2019, the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum is the largest academic research facility specializing in printed cartoon art.