By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
County, city and hospital district elected officials, county library staff and citizens
gathered on the grounds of a former elementary school on the city’s east side today for
Branch Library today. Bond called libraries “an investment in citizens,” and promised
that the county library and its branch “will always be a place of safety and acceptance.”
(Photo by Karen Gleason)
the grand opening of the Val Verde County Branch Library.
County Commissioner Pct. 2 Juan Carlos Vazquez, in whose precinct the new branch
library is located, welcomed about 75 persons who attended the event, which culminated
in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to signify the opening of the new facility.
The branch library is located on the former Travis/Cardwell Elementary School Campus
at 315 E. Chapoy St. and will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“First I would like to sincerely thank everyone for taking the time out of their day to join
us for the opening of the satellite library. It’s been a long time in the making and is of
great significance to our community,” Vazquez said.
Vazquez asked those present to observe a moment of silence for the late Ruben Gutierrez,
husband of Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez, who expressed her regrets for not being
the grand opening ceremony of the Val Verde County Branch Library today. Listening,
from left, are Victor Cirilo, librarian II; Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez, Gamaliel De La
Piedra, branch library coordinator; Constable Pct. 3 Michael Wancho, County Librarian
David Bond, County Commissioner Pct. 3 Fernando Garcia and Jesse Rios Jr., librarian
II. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
able to attend the event.
Vazquez told the group, “This event is not just the celebration of a new building; it
represents a collective effort that has spanned two-and-a-half years and embodies our
commitment to educational excellence and community support.”
Vazquez first thanked Dr. Carlos Rios and the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated
Independent School District Board of Trustees “who generously donated the school
building to Precinct 2 in 2021.”
“This remarkable gesture underscores their dedication to enhancing our community’s
educational resources. I am equally grateful to the Val Verde County Commissioners
Court for their unwavering support throughout this journey and for approving this vital
project, which will profoundly impact all the residents of the county,” Vazquez said.
He thanked Ramiro Barrera, the county’s information technology director, and his team,
County Attorney David Martinez and his staff, County Engineer Carlos Velarde, County
Purchasing Agent Melissa Vasquez and her staff, County Auditor Matthew Weingardt
and his staff and County Library Director David Bond.
“Mr. Bond has played a pivotal role for this project from its inception. Together, we
envisioned a satellite library that would serve as a comprehensive resource hub for all
members of our community. Our goal is particularly focused on assisting those in
surrounding areas who may lack access to essential educational tools, resources and
materials that can empower them and enrich their lives,” Vazquez said.
county library staff, county employees and citizens at the start of the grand opening
ceremony for the Val Verde County Branch Library today. About 75 people attended the
event, which culminated in a ribbon-cutting signifying the opening of the new facility.
(Photo by Karen Gleason)
The commissioner also led those present in a round of applause for the county building
maintenance crew and the Precinct 2 road and bridge crew “for their outstanding hard
work and dedication in updating and refurbishing the buildings.”
“Their efforts have transformed this place into a welcoming, functional environment,”
Vazquez said.
Vazquez also spoke about the project’s significance to him.
“Many of you might wonder why this project holds so much personal significance to me.
This area is steeped in my childhood memories. I grew up just a few blocks away from
this school, on Arrañaga Street, in one of the local housing projects. That’s where I was
raised. I have seen firsthand the challenges that families with limited resources face, and I
deeply understand the profound impact that access to education and community support
can have on their lives,” Vazquez said.
“The satellite library project is merely the beginning. We have many more improvements
planned for this (former) school that will further enhance our community’s offerings. These upcoming projects will provide even more educational resources, strategic
programming and vibrant, welcoming space for children of all ages to learn and play.
Thank you once again for being here today and for your support. Together, we are
building a brighter future for our community,” the commissioner added.
Vazquez invited Rios and Bond to speak to those attending the event.
Rios said, “On behalf of our board of trustees and our entire administration, we want to
congratulate Commissioner Vazquez and the entire commissioners court for such a
successful project.”
Rios said he was happy to see the former elementary school property “being used so
well.”
“We are thrilled to have been able to participate, in a small way, in this project. If we can
focus where we can collaborate instead of where we cannot collaborate, we move our
community forward, and that is what Commissioner Vazquez has done with this project,”
Rios said.
Bond thanked the school board, the county commissioners and County Judge Lewis G.
Owens Jr. for supporting and funding the project. He also thanked Velarde and Barrera
for their work on the project.
“It definitely takes time and teamwork for a large project like this – it’s a sprint, not a
marathon,” Bond said.
He said in addition to the four library staff who will be operating the center – Gamaliel
De La Piedra, the branch coordinator; Nannette Barrera, librarian I; Victor Cirilo,
librarian II; and Jesse Rios Jr., librarian I – there are 13 additional staff members at the
main library on Spring Street.
“They are all as hard-working and dedicated a group as I’ve been honored to work with
over the past five-and-a-half years. I’m grateful to them and especially to my Assistant
Library Director Reba Benavides, who helps the library ship avoid icebergs,” Bond said.
“I think sometimes we all get a bit depressed with the struggles that schools and libraries
are facing nowadays. And that’s part of why I consider this such a beautiful day – it
demonstrates that the citizens of Del Rio and Val Verde County value education and
libraries.
“I know I’m speaking to the choir, but the library is not just a dollars and cents expense;
it’s an investment in our citizens. Yes, we have newspapers, magazines and books, but
while we’re not therapists, we sometime serve as a buffer against isolation and loneliness.
Our library will always be a place of safety and acceptance.
“Every day we provide services such as public computers, faxing, copying, many
programs for all ages – and most everything is free. The library is the great equalizer,”
Bond said.
He invited those attending to review a handout recounting the library’s 2024 statistics,
calling the visitor numbers “impressive” and noting those numbers highlight “the
importance the community places in its library.”
“I’ll end by saying if you don’t have a library card, now is the perfect time. We promise
to undercut any bookstores, even Amazon, by letting you borrow any of our books for
free. Thanks again for coming,” Bond finished.
The ceremony ended with dignitaries and visitors, led by Vazquez and Bond, cutting a
ribbon signifying the branch library’s opening. Those attending were also invited to stay
and tour the new facility and enjoy light refreshments.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
