Chandler was expected to consider assuming control of its public library, a branch of the Clint W. Murchison Memorial Library. File Photo CHANDLER — City Council members were expected to consider Tuesday night assuming control of the Chandler Public Library after Henderson County and other officials requested the change.

“When we first established the library, the county library ordered our books and processed them,” Chandler Librarian Nancy Bertholf said. “This is no longer the case, and there really are no advantages to being part of the county system. As with most government and even commercial entities, it is a numbers game.”

City administrator Jim Moffeit said Henderson County commissioners have assured him they would continue to allocate $18,000 a year for the Chandler branch if the city assumes control.

“There are issues with the county trying to get out of remote library operations. We have talked to library officials and an auditor to try to figure out what do to. The city owns that building.”

Chandler Public Library is a branch of the Henderson County Clint W. Murchison Memorial Library. Originally housed in a book mobile, the Chandler branch was moved to Broad Street in 1983 and relocated again 13 years later to its current building at 900 State Highway 31.

“As a branch library, we are unable to receive state funding, grants and access to databases,” Bertholf said. “As part of the county system, the number of patrons served by the Athens and Chandler libraries require two full-time professional librarians who have masters degrees. If we separate, we are hopeful that our numbers will be such that both libraries can benefit from state programs.”

Cedar Creek Library is now a separate library receiving county and local funding, Bertholf said. Chandler contributes over $8,000 a year to its branch, Moffeit said.

“This is a critical time for libraries throughout the state,” Bertholf said. “More and more people are depending on public libraries for access to the Internet where they can find career information, job applications and online college classes. Having a local place to find information and encourage lifelong learners is essential to the quality of life in any community.”

A committee organizing Chandler’s summer celebration marking the city’s 50 years of incorporation is scheduled to meet tonight, at 6 p.m., at City Hall.

Money raised during the event will help finance the creation of a city museum, the contents of which are housed at the Chandler library.

Activities planned for the July celebration at Winchester Park include a street dance, concert, and fireworks exhibition. Food concessions will be available.

Though the city was incorporated in 1960, its history dates to 1880 when the Texas and St. Louis Railway established a station on land donated about 31 years earlier by Alphonso Chandler, for with the town was renamed. It was originally called Stillwater.

Organizers haven’t decided whether to expand the library or move the historical collection, which includes Sen. Ralph Yarborough, Jackie Kennedy, and other collections and memorabilia.

The late Yarborough, a Democratic senator, was born in Chandler in 1903. He taught school in Henderson County, practiced law in El Paso and Austin, was a Texas judge and assistant attorney general, a World War II veteran in the U.S. Army, and an author.