FELLSMERE — Members of the Indian River County Historical Society, faced with a severe shortage of cash, will consider giving the Marian Fell Library over to the City of Fellsmere.
“It’s just so sad,” said Beverly Tyson, the society’s executive director.
City Manager Jason Nunemaker plans to address the society’s board of directors at their meeting Monday to discuss just such a proposition. “We’re looking to step up to the plate,” Nunemaker said. He added that he expects to assure the board members that the city would continue to maintain the historic library in a manner that is consistent with historic standards.
The issue sprang up after a grant the Indian River County Historic Society had been given failed to generate the funds it promised. The society always applies for the Almeda Toomey Foundation grant — and in the past has received as much as $10,000. Last year, according to Tyson, the group only received $5,000.
The historical group needs between $20,000 and $25,000 annually to maintain and run the Marian Fell Library.
“We operate on a shoestring there,” Tyson said of the library.
They will be applying for the Almeda Toomey Foundation grant this November. They’ll find out before the end of the year how much, if any, they will receive.
Nunemaker said that the library is important to the city because of the history it represents.
“There are lots of interesting things related to Marian Fell that many people don’t know,” he said.
Marian Fell was the daughter of the city’s founder, E. Nelson Fell, and understood the need for a library to serve the community. She founded the library in 1915 and it is now the oldest continuously run library in the county, according to Tyson.
Nunemaker said that if all goes well during the meeting Monday with the society’s board, the city could have ownership of the library and the property by Oct. 1, the start of the next fiscal year.
The Indian River County Historical Society would continue running the programs currently operating at the library. Such programs include after-school homework help and FCAT preparation. Many of the programs are aimed at the Hispanic population of Fellsmere, helping first generation students cultivate a love for reading.
“It’s really a little beehive of activity,” Tyson said.
Though the society might convey the property to the city for maintenance, Tyson said the group is always in need of donations – especially to continue the programs held at the library.
“Every penny counts and adds up,” she said.
Those interested in making a donation may do so by sending donations made payable to the Indian River County Historical Society, to P.O. Box 2192, Vero Beach, FL 32961.
For more information about the historic group, visit www.irchistorical.org or call (772) 778-3435.
Monday’s board meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Vero Beach Train Station, 2336 14th Ave., Vero Beach.