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69 <br /> Many Fellsmere residents have needs that indicate library service should be tailored to assist <br /> their economic and cultural development. Much of the population is Hispanic ; the main <br /> employment is agricultural work. There is a high density of people who are living below the <br /> r. poverty level , do not have a high school diploma, and/or only speak Spanish . The density of <br /> children aged 0 to 5 years is also high . A library can address the needs of families with these <br /> economic and cultural conditions through focusing on a targeted population . <br /> r■ <br /> Two privately operated library services are available now in Fellsmere — Marian Fell Library <br /> serving a few elementary school children after school and Operation Hope ' s one-room library on <br /> their campus . They may be appropriate partners for the county as it plans its own service in the <br /> area. <br /> Option 1 — Partner with Operation Hope to operate a special service branch library at their <br /> facility and targeting the needs offamilies. <br /> Operation Hope is dedicating some of their extensive space in Fellsmere to library <br /> service for their constituency. <br /> Issues <br /> ■ The amount of space Operation Hope has made available for library service is one <br /> small room. A total of 30 ,000 square feet of space is available at the location . <br /> ■ Since the main focus of Operation Hope is to provide education services to migrant <br /> workers it would be considerably outside their scope to offer a public library service <br /> �■ on their campus . They are , however, planning to let anyone who is interested use their <br /> library. <br /> ■ Discussions with the administration of Operation Hope indicate they have not thought <br /> of this possibility but are willing to discuss it . <br /> ■ This option is the fastest approach to getting public library service to Fellsmere as it <br /> can be done without construction or renovation of space . <br /> Option 2 — Renovate some of the Old Fellsmere School space into a special service branch <br /> library targeting the needs of families. <br /> The old Fellsmere School on South Orange Street in the center of Fellsmere was built in <br /> 1916 and is a highly visible landmark. This three story building of historical significance <br /> is undergoing rehabilitation by the Indian River County Historical Society with granted <br /> and donated funds totaling $ 550 , 000 . The money is being used for stabilization of the <br /> r" physical plant and remediation of environmental problems in the building . In late <br /> summer, the work that could be afforded with these funds was nearing completion . <br /> Hurricanes damaged the building , however, and work is currently at a standstill ( as of <br /> December, 2004) . The building will not be useable until a great deal of additional interior <br /> work is completed and the hurricane damage is repaired . The building and approximately <br /> two acres of property belong to the City of Fellsmere and are leased to Indian River <br /> County. <br /> �r <br /> Indian River County Library Master Facilities Plan 2005 - 2025 <br /> .r <br />