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70 <br /> Issues <br /> ■ The school was damaged by September 2004 hurricanes and it is not clear at this <br /> writing when repairs can be made . According to county staff, the damage will <br /> significantly delay any efforts to continue rehabbing the building . <br /> ■ The Historical Society is interested in having a library at the old school as that use is <br /> seen as a positive compliment to other planned cultural and recreational activities . <br /> ■ Space on the second (main) or third floors — the first floor is a basement — could be <br /> renovated into a small public library facility. The space is not now appropriately <br /> organized for library service as it is too divided into separate rooms . Architectural and <br /> engineering evaluation is needed to determine if walls can be removed to make larger <br /> spaces . <br /> ■ The amount of space that would be available is not known but it appears that <br /> approximately 3 , 000 square feet will be available on either the second or third floors <br /> (first floor is the basement) . Decisions by the Historical Society and the cost of <br /> renovations will be deciding factors regarding how much space can be committed to a <br /> library in the building . <br /> ■ The North IRC is close to Fellsmere and can provide the broader array of services <br /> needed by people who find a special services branch too limited for their needs . <br /> Option 3 — Build a full service branch library in Fellsmere. <br /> Building a new library is an option that delays bringing service to Fellsmere but allows <br /> the opportunity to develop a full service library that includes the special services spaces <br /> needed by residents . The 2025 population of the town should have from 5 ,000 to 7 , 687 <br /> .. square feet of library space , according to FLA standards . A new facility can be designed <br /> to serve the special needs of the population as well as general service needs . Possible <br /> locations are discussed below . <br /> ■ The Marian Fell Library, located across from the elementary school and used for after <br /> school activities , is being given to the IRC Historical Society . This organization has <br /> indicated willingness to gift or lease the almost two acres of land to the county for <br /> public library purposes . The existing building is not appropriate for that use as it is <br /> much too small . <br /> Issues <br /> • The available acreage is on the minimum end of the range of space needed for a <br /> new building . It may not be possible to build on the property and still keep the <br /> existing building which the Historical Society has committed to do . <br /> • This property is convenient to the elementary school and a block or two off a <br /> main thoroughfare , so it is appropriately located for public library service . <br /> �r <br /> .r. <br /> Indian River County Library Master Facilities Plan 2005 - 2025 <br /> irr <br />