Thanks to the Brackett Family and IRSC: An Undiscovered Treasure with a Rare Gift
- Vero Minute
- Aug 25
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 2
Just behind Home Depot sits one of Vero Beach’s most undiscovered treasures—the Brackett Library at Indian River State College’s Mueller Campus.
To be clear, this bright, welcoming and expansive library is open to the entire community—not just students—and serves as a place for entrepreneurs, students, and creatives looking for a quiet place to work, create, collaborate and make things happen.
Just one thing (there are many!) that sets the library apart is the Brackett Preservation Lab, launched in early 2024 through the vision of librarian Angie Neely-Sardon and support from the Patterson Endowed Teaching Chair in Humanities. If you're like 70% of Americans with old VHS tapes, photos, slides, DVDs and film reels locked up in obsolete formats, this is the solution you've been waiting for!
This lab provides free access to professional-grade digitization tools, allowing you to finally digitize and preserve old memories gathering dust in closets and attics—services that can cost hundreds or even thousands elsewhere. All you need is a library card, super easy to obtain by anyone in the community. Visitors follow straightforward step-by-step instructions and maintain full control of their projects, with friendly staff on hand to direct and assist.
Advance reservations are required for the Brackett Preservation Lab. Book online at irsc.libguides.com/bpl or contact Angie Neely-Sardon directly at (772) 226-2544 or asardon@irsc.edu.
While places like Coffee House 1420 are perfect for meeting and brainstorming over a cup of coffee, sometimes you need a quieter setting with room to spread out and plug in.
That's where the Brackett Library shines, offering a counterpart with free high-speed WiFi, large worktables with charging stations, affordable printing, and even a 3D printer. Private rooms are free for individual use, and small conference rooms for six with whiteboards are also free, available by reservation. Larger spaces can be booked for workshops and gatherings for a modest fee.
The Brackett family’s deep passion for preservation has helped safeguard iconic Indian River County landmarks like Theatre Plaza, Pueblo Arcade, and the Old Indian River County Courthouse.
Their generous support, combined with a $12 million partnership between IRSC, the county, and private contributors, made the Brackett Preservation Lab a reality. In many ways, it’s the natural continuation of their legacy: preserving not only the landmarks that define our community, but also the personal memories that define our lives.
Visit The Brackett Library at 6155 College Lane and experience this indispensable community gem for yourself.
To learn more, visit Indian River State College – 3209 Virginia Avenue
