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<br /> General Services Director Tom Frame stated that this matter had been discussed at length <br />during the negotiations with Indian River Community College and during the Public Library <br />Advisory Board meetings. There had been funds set aside for a west county library branch pursuant <br />to the Master Plan of the 1980s but those funds were used in the 1998 expansions of the North <br />County and Main Libraries. Since that time a small facility has been opened in Gifford and there is <br />now a need to determine the best location for the next branch library; whether it be a south county <br />or west county branch. <br /> Commissioner Lowther believed the growth in the south county should obviously dictate <br />where the next branch should go. <br /> Commissioner Macht stated that Indian River County’s libraries are among the top 3 most <br />utilized in the entire state. Indian River Community College’s branch library was not funded last <br />year but Senator Pruitt hopes to get the funding this year and transportation to that location from <br />south county is only a 10 minute drive. A joint use library on the college campus would benefit not <br />only the College but also the County as the parking would be provided by the College. <br /> Commissioner Adams added that a master plan would become a blueprint for moving <br />forward and staff does not have the time or resources to prepare such a master plan. <br /> Chairman Ginn believed we do need a master plan and noted that she has always been in <br />favor of a joint cooperation with the College. <br /> <br /> Frank Coffey, <br />, a member of the PLAB reminded the Board that the Public Library <br />Advisory Board had passed a resolution in favor of a 5, 10 and 20 year plan and stated that the <br />Advisory Board does not have the capability to prepare a master plan. <br /> <br />George Gross <br /> , also a member of the Public Library Advisory Board, reminded the Board <br />that when the first library was built in 1991 from a 5.9 million dollar bond issue, it was anticipated <br />at that time that it was only built for a 5 or 10 year lifespan. We need an expert to take a look at how <br />we will fund our future needs and what the role of the existing libraries will be. <br /> <br />ON MOTION by Commissioner Adams, SECONDED by Commissioner <br />Macht, the Board, by a 4-1 vote (Commissioner Neuberger opposed) <br />authorized the proposed Scope of Work as set forth in staff’s <br />Memorandum of December 29, 2003 be included into a Request for <br />JANUARY 6, 2004 13 <br /> <br />