Press Release

Arabian Horse Library Opens to Public

Pomona, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2012) - "It is my hope that the property that kind Providence has brought me may be helpful to many others, and that I may be found a faithful steward."

This quote by W.K. Kellogg graces the entrance hallway to the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Library, which opened to the public Wednesday.

The library provides a permanent home for the Arabian horse collection, which has been moved from place to place over the years with no dedicated space large enough to hold the entire collection.

Katherine Staab, Arabian horse subject specialist, has been working on the collection for nine months, and its significance does not escape her notice.

"It's my baby," Staab says. "I am over the moon happy that we're finally opened and that students and researchers can use this material."

A buzzer from the inside opens the door to enter the library, but Staab makes it clear that its purpose is not to discourage casual visitors.

"The buzzer is just for security purposes because a lot of our material is one of a kind," she says. "Don't let it put you off – we want you here."

Other precautions for preserving the collection include: No pens allowed inside, only pencils, and all bags must be left in the lockers provided just outside the entrance.

The collection includes books from the 1700s through present day. Staab holds one book from 1729 and carefully turns the fragile pages.

"I need to be the protector of these items," she says. "I hope that in 100 years, someone who has my current position will be showing these same books to students."

The W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Library, located on the first floor of the University Library, is open from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m., and by appointment. For more information, call (909) 869-3775 or visit www.csupomona.edu/~library/wkkahl/.

Return to Press Release Index