Assessing the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum Collection Needs: A Case Study on Collection Surveys

This case study examines the planning, methodology, and impact of a comprehensive collections survey at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum at The Ohio State University Libraries. Collections consisting of original cartoon art, archives, objects, and published materials were systematically surveyed and assessed to develop a prioritized processing plan targeted at improving accessibility. The collections survey encompassed all holdings—processed and unprocessed—and all formats of materials. The survey centralized long-scattered collection information and provided the unexpected benefit of documenting institutional memory during a time of transition and expansion.