Laredo — The Library Board on Dec. 18 discussed a vacant assistant director position that was frozen in prior budget cycles and asked staff to compile data and a duties list so the board can consider recommending reinstatement.

Board members said the assistant director role has not been reinstated since budget freezes several years ago. Staff reported the director and branch librarians have absorbed many of the assistant director’s administrative and personnel duties, and that the change has affected succession planning.

The board pressed staff to assemble statistics and a list of duties to quantify the need before the board considers a formal recommendation or vote. Members noted an inquiry to restore funding for fiscal year 2026 has been made to city leadership.

Board members described the current operating model — a single director overseeing the full system with no assistant — as strained and asked staff to return with information ahead of summer so the board can digest the material and, if appropriate, vote on a recommendation to city officials.

Background discussed at the meeting included that the position was left vacant after the previous assistant director, Omero Vasquez, was promoted and later left; board members and staff characterized the position as “frozen” rather than eliminated. Dr. Richard Chamberlain, identified in the meeting as director of health services for the city, was described as the supervisor of library operations.

No formal motion to reinstate the assistant director position was offered or voted on during the meeting; the board’s direction was limited to requesting additional documentation and a consolidated list of duties from library staff.