The University Library of Columbus is hosting a comics and gaming convention at the Columbus Learning Center on Central Avenue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.

Bethany Messersmith, director of the Ivy Tech library, says she took part in a similar event at a library in Missouri last year. She said she thought it would be a great way to engage more people in the library and its resources.

Messersmith said she sees a lot of interest among students on the campus in the hobby of tabletop board games, such as Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride and Dominion. She says there will be a chance for people to learn various hobby games and to play casually, but there will also be board game tournaments for those who are more competitive.

The event will feature panel discussions with graphics artists and a graphic novelist. The panels will be led by Lloyd Brooks the head of the schools’ visual communications program. Messersmith said she sees this as an opportunity for students to learn more about how the programs at the school can lead to work in the comics medium.

Mikinna Jo, a Batesville tattoo artist, will be designing free temporary tattoos.

The event is free and will take place in and around the library in the Columbus Learning Center. You can buy a $5 lunch from Dancing Goat Coffee from 12 to 2.

You can learn more at the school’s Facebook page.