Friday, June 1, 2012

Research Location - Pomona Public Library


Pomona Public Library
625 S. Garey Avenue, Pomona, CA 91769
(909) 620-2043

The Pomona Public Library was founded in 1887. A $15,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie in 1901 provided funding for construction of a new building and another grant in 1912 enabled the library to nearly double its size; the Carnegie Library was replaced by the present Civic Center Library in 1965.

The library started its genealogical collection in 1955. Reference librarians are available to assist patrons in the use of the collection which includes some 5,000 books, microfilm, microfiche, periodicals and computerized databases.

Microfilmed newspaper collections include the Los Angeles Times from 1881-present, as well as the local Pomona newspapers since the city’s founding in 1887. It also has the Japan Times & Advertiser from April through August 1942.

The Special Collections Department which is housed on the lower level and open Monday-Wednesday from 2:00-6:00 p.m. includes over 3,000 volumes on California history, some 60,000 photographs by Burton Frasher (1888-1955), the Laura Ingalls Wilder collection (Little House on the Prairie manuscript, letters), and over 4,000 citrus box labels—the largest collection held by any library in the country.

Digital collections available at the library’s website include the Pomona High School yearbooks from 1901-1979, city directories from 1896-1948, and numerous collections of historical photos of Pomona landmarks, homes and citizens. Those interested in the history of the area will enjoy the Blackstock/Allen collection of articles written by Joe Blackstock and David Allen, columnists for the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.

The Pomona Valley Genealogical Society meets at the library on the second Saturday, September through May, at 2:00 p.m.

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