Click here to enter the Official
Chambers County Library System Page

Services

The County Library System provides traditional public library services to the residents of the area.  The collection of over 100,000 books, videotapes, magazines, and books on cassette are available to registered borrowers.  Each branch in the system contains current reference materials; an extensive reference collection is maintained at the county library.  Public access to the Internet is available at each library, along with the online catalog to the collection and word processing software.  Access to the library collection catalog is also available via the Internet at www.chambers.lib.tx.us .  Equipment loans are made to groups through registered library card holders, and individuals may borrow some items as well.  Equipment items available include video and overhead projectors, tape recorders, and cameras.  Over 147,000 visits were recorded to the three libraries in 2000.

Special Collections

The Chambers County Library in Anahuac is the repository for the Texana collection, featuring a variety of general interest titles on the state as well as material of great historical interest to the area. As one of the earliest settled areas under Mexican authority, Anahuac has a remarkable story, filled with names of early Texan heroes and villains. A local genealogy file of extensive family lineages was prepared through the auspices of the Chambers County Historical Commission, and is currently located in the Texana/Reference Room. The library in Anahuac has accumulated a microfilm collection of early Texas newspapers and important early documents, as well as census materials for this area.

Children's Programming

Texas Reading Club is sponsored annually by the Texas State Library to promote the pleasure of reading for young children during the summer months. 

The three county libraries provide seasonal stories, crafts, games, movies, and refreshments for many holidays throughout the year.  In addition, regularly scheduled programs are arranged for day care groups, younger school classes, private groups, and the general public's youngest members.  Staff members will also make arrangements to visit groups that have difficulty traveling to the library branches.  Please call the local branch library for information on program dates and times.

General and Adult Programming

Programs for the general public are held on a regular basis, and are free of charge.  Events range from slide programs to art exhibits and receptions, gardening topics, and public debates.  The library holds an annual poetry reading night during National Library Week in April.  Topics suggested by patrons are taken into consideration for future programs.  All library-sponsored programs are posted on the library's homepage and in the local newspapers.

Community groups wishing to sponsor programs in the meeting room at Anahuac are welcome to do so, whether for their own members or for the public-at-large.  Programs must fall within the library meeting room policy, and scheduling is currently necessary at least 30 days in advance.

Library System Associates

·The Chambers County Library Board is a group appointed by Commissioners' Court, and is composed of seven county residents who serve for 2-year terms.  Their mandate is to advise the County Librarian on matters of policy, and to provide vital input on community concerns about the library system.  They meet every 3 months.

·The Friends of the Chambers County Library System are independent of the county library structure.  They coordinate volunteer efforts, provide independent advocacy, and raise funds for projects that support the library, usually in the areas of programming and capital equipment; the Friends are a major support to the annual Texas Reading Club for the children.  The group includes individual and corporate memberships, and is administered by a nine-member executive board.  Information about the Friends may be obtained at any library branch.

·Chambers County Learn to Read, Inc. is a group closely affiliated with the library system to provide tutors trained in Laubach Methodology.  These tutors work at the libraries with students in one-on-one or small group sessions, to develop basic literacy skills or to improve mastery of English.  Volunteers are always needed to take the training to become certified literacy tutors.  For more information, contact the president at 409/267-6526.

Meet the Librarian

A. Lynette Parsons, MLS -- County Librarian

Originally from Indiana, Ms. Parsons obtained both her Masters of Library Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Indiana University.

She has worked in Florida for the Charlotte-Glades Regional Library System in a variety of professional positions, and came to Chambers County from the Sterling Municipal Library in Baytown, Texas, where she was Assistant City Librarian -- Technical Services.

She serves on the Houston Area Library System Technology Committee and provides special consultation services to HALS member libraries on occasion and has held office in the Texas Library Association-District VIII. Ms. Parsons' article on the library system's first Poetry Reading Night in 1997 was featured in the Texas Library Journal.