Living in a Library - A Dream Comes True

"When I grow up I am going to own a library with lots of books. So we have to keep them until then," said 8 year old Rita Danielle Steele years ago. Steele's mother tried to pack away many of her books, telling her young daughter that she already read most of them. "Now that I have purchased and live in a library, my Mom thinks it is hilarious!" said the determined owner of the former Rumford Library on Pawtucket Avenue. Rita Danielle Steele bought the closed library from the City of East Providence in July of 2013 for $230,000. Her parents thought her childhood declaration was cute and the family, including Rita, thought that the Library plan was a long forgotten childhood memory until last year. Today that book-loving child is now a successful attorney and adult business woman who retains her passion for books. Indeed, the closed library, turned home, has a warm feel of a vintage library when you enter. The home has built-in white wood bookshelves in almost every room contrasted by beautiful shiny darker wood floors. Many shelves are in the same location from when the building was an actual library. "I am glad that some years back I purchased a rolling library ladder," Steele laughed. "I have the perfect place for it now," as she points out the ladder reaching high to a row of bookshelves off the open kitchen area.

When good friend, Shamila Ahmed, called and told Steele that she noticed the East Providence library was listed for sale, Steele was intrigued. "I had been looking for a home to buy while renting a house in Riverside. I went for a crazy drive-by (the library) and I loved it," said Steele with excitement still in her eyes. The rest is literary history as Steele set into motion a plan to purchase and call the Rumford Library her new home. Rita Danielle Steele, yes named after the author, was perfectly poised and experienced for the ordeal of buying a closed city building and restoring it to her personal design. "I don't read Danielle Steele, but my mother was given one of her books while in the hospital when I was born!" Steele, an attorney, is Founding Partner of Geo Properties on Angell Street in Providence's East Side. She also serves as the company's managing broker, where she has been fundamentally involved in the company's real estate investments and business developments from its inception in 2008. Steele, originally from Wellesley, Massachusetts is a licensed attorney in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and speaks conversational Spanish and Italian. She attended Roger Williams Law School in Bristol, RI.

"The whole project was very rewarding. Through my brokerage and legal experience which includes construction and restoration, I was able to do much of this work myself and with the help of family and friends," said Steele. The first step was to have her purchase bid approved. Steele submitted the first bid for the city's asking price. "It seemed to pique a lot of interest and shortly thereafter a bidding war took place," recalled Steele. "I actually found myself bidding against myself as interest grew. It was a very stressful process." Former City Manager Peter Graczykowski gave the city council a recommendation in July of 2013. "As part of the FY12-13 budget reductions approved by the East Providence Budget Commission, two Library branches were closed – Fuller and Rumford. Since the closure, the City undertook to dispose of the facilities as surplus properties...". Graczykowski told the council that "we are recommending (the Steele offer) in the amount of $230,000. This proposal is the highest responsive offer, the proposed single-family dwelling will not require a change in zoning since the property is currently zoned as residential-3, no negative impacts to the nearby residential properties are anticipated and this proposal demonstrated the ability to secure financing," wrote the then city manager.

"My interest in the Library is for use as a single family home for my own personal home," wrote Steele. "I (and my company) have been restoring historic property for several years now and have been looking for some time for a special project for my personal home. The day the Library came on the market I knew it had wonderful potential to become a truly unique and distinctive single family home," she wrote in her proposal to the City. "I have already drafted a rough design of the layout I envision. All original period details of the building, interior and exterior will be preserved in their entirety. All built-in bookshelves will be preserved as well; I even have an antique rolling library ladder that I have been saving to put into my home that will fit right in. In the yard, I plan to reduce the parking lot down to a much smaller gravel circular drive, and I plan to plant more trees and preserve all the existing trees and greenery on the grounds." The lowest bid came in at $121,000. The deal was approved with a restriction that it not be turned into commercial property in any way. Rita Danielle Steele took some time off from her business and got down to work.

"I had a lot to do. I was moving into an almost 3,000 square foot property from a much smaller place and as always, it was a bit more work than one would expect," she said. Old carpets were removed exposing wood flooring with dry glue, which would look beautiful once sanded and refurbished. "I moved out some rows of bookcases in the center of the house maintaining an open plan. We kept all the built-in bookcases and all of the vintage character. When I needed to replace a window, we installed an older antique window. "I changed some lights from fluorescent to period type," she added. The house has an impressive open layout, hardwood floors have been restored, walls painted and exposed brick areas re-mortared and kept original. Two large fireplaces add a homey appeal to the property. "As I started with the restoration I learned to combine my professional restoration career with my personal likes. It was different but a welcomed challenge."

Steele moved in around Easter time last year and "although it was essentially ready, we had lots of work to do," she laughed. "My family came over for Easter dinner and I didn't have a working stove yet. We cooked outside on a grill and had dinner on folding tables. This Easter my family will return and I have a full kitchen and dining tables now. It will be nice, complete with an Easter egg hunt," she smiled. Steele was able to save money by using furniture she already had or making minor consignment shop purchases. "I basically furnished the home with items I already had, combined with a few inexpensive pieces. Steele and her family and friends removed drop ceilings and carpets revealing wonderful period craftsmanship. "We were able to restore most if not all of the original architecture. "My Dad was a big help and good with masonry work. He refurbished some inner brick areas and assured me that the exterior brick is in good shape."

It's obvious that Steele loves her new home and new city. Although previously living in Riverside, she is not from the area and has lived in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Providence and Little Compton. "It's much cheaper to live here (East Providence), I feel priced out of Providence. Taxes, water costs, etc., are all lower here than many places. And I feel safer here, often moving around outside and not panicking if I left a door unlocked briefly. It is truly living in suburbia," said the new Townie. "I'm learning the city, I know where to pick up coffee or a bite to eat," she said pointing out her oversized, airy windows. Steele also likes the short easy ride to and from her East Side brokerage firm every day.

"I'm in but I guess I'll never be totally done with my library-home. I need to add a storm door and tighten up some things. It's been a long cold winter as the house is so big and costly to heat. But I knew that coming here and I'm looking forward to the spring and summer." Steele plans on improving the landscaping. She wants to keep all the trees and add more. "I would like to have less grass though, maybe a permaculture garden, self-sustaining grounds, with edible herbs. I cut the grass myself and it takes quite awhile!" she chuckled. The landscaping though will have to wait. I can't do everything right now. But I have a plan and hope to get to that soon."

It has been evident to Steele that many residents are not aware that the actual library has closed. "I still find people leaving library books through the front door slot. Others walk up expecting to find the library open," she smiled. Steele takes it all lightly. She has visited with most neighbors and invited a few to visit the library turned home. "The local historical and library associations will have a tour of the home this April," said Steele. "I've agreed to let people come in and have a tour of their former library. I'm happy to do that, it's obvious the people here loved the building. Hopefully, though the interest will die down a little bit!" she added. Another happy resident is 'Cookie' the dog. "My dog loves it here, especially the large yard. I don't need a fence either, it's all working out."

The city has another closed library, the Fuller Branch on Dover Avenue in Kent Heights. That property was also for sale but was taken off the market this past October. There were a few offers made on the Anne Ide Fuller Branch, but current library officials have asked city leaders for a reprieve. Eileen Socha, Director of Library Services will address the City Council at its April meeting on a plan to reopen the Fuller library. Socha has an idea to turn the former branch library into a 'Creative Learning Center.' "We would like to offer the community an extension to our library system, as opposed to a branch. Residents of all ages can get hands on, interactive learning experiences with all kinds of activities. Embracing new technologies would be popular," said Socha. More details will be forthcoming from library officials.

Meanwhile, some residents continue to think that Rita Danielle Steele's home on Pawtucket Avenue is still an active library. "The other day as I was leaving for work, there was a car in my driveway," recalled Steele. Her driveway is large as it was once the library parking lot. She does have plans to turn it into a circular drive with landscaping someday. "I approached the car and inside was a mother and her child. I asked if they needed help. The mother replied matter-of-factly that this was 'their' spot to sit and talk. I just smiled and said, okay, have a nice day and off I went to work." And so two years after the state budget commission forced the closure of the Rumford library, a new occupant has moved in. The budget commission didn't think much of keeping the historic library alive, but thanks to the dreams of an eight year old little girl several years ago, the grand old library has been restored. "My mom was thrilled when I finally picked up all the dusty boxes of books from her attic and finally found them a home," said Steele. A home with a prolific past and now a happy, loving future, filled with good books and warm smiles. Just return your own overdue library book to the main branch on Grove Avenue please. Steele has developed a blog in which people can follow along with her project: www.rumfordlibraryproject.com.