A Blessing Came Today

I want to thank Matt, Vikki (middle), and Samantha ‘Sam’ (far-left) for their generous book donation to RANDIE’S FREE LIBRARY today. Matt is an alumni of Iowa State University, and he personally knew Randie. When Matt was a kid his favorite children’s book was ‘Go, Dog. Go!’ Vikki’s favorite children’s books were ‘Cinderella’, ‘Snow White’, ‘Black Beauty’, and she enjoyed all of the Disney-related stories when she was a little girl, especially the stories with animal characters. Sam likes poetry and enjoys reading poems to her kids, and she tells me that ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’ is one of her little daughter’s favorite books.

Books Bringing People Together

Books Bringing People Together… In a world where neighbors rarely say hello to one another anymore it’s amazing sometimes how books can bring people together. It was an unusually warm, sunny day yesterday, and a perfect day for another successful Free Book Saturday Event at Randie’s Free Library. From sunrise to sunset, there were people of all ages and backgrounds who dropped by with all types of interesting stories and conversations. Sharing your used books with your neighbors is such a positive experience. Have a great week Everyone!

Free Books! A Win-Win for Everyone!

GIVING IS BEAUTIFUL… Giving someone the tools to expand their knowledge and imagination is a beautiful thing, and that’s what #freebooksaturday is all about. Simply take your used books and freely offer them to your neighbors. Touch someone’s soul this Easter weekend by participating in your own Free Book Saturday event. Learn more at https://randy0312.wordpress.com Nowadays in 2023, there seems to be a Little Free Library or a neighborhood Book Exchange practically everywhere. If you can, please consider dropping off a used book or two at your nearest Free Library this weekend. This is a win-win for everyone. (And a Special thank you to EVERYONE who have supported RANDIE’S FREE LIBRARY in Des Moines, Iowa, and the LITTLE FREE LIBRARY located in Ames, Iowa, honoring Dr. Randie Danielle Camp)

Books for Everyone!

I’ve been loving books ever since I was a little boy. It’s a shame and a disgrace that some politicians and school districts want to ban certain books nowadays. Placing strong restrictions on teachers and controlling how they conduct their classroom hurts the students. The classroom should be a place that nurtures open mindedness, not a place that erases history or attempts to brainwash young minds. I love it when some public libraries and book stores, large chains and small independent ones, proudly display and offer the ‘banned books’ to the general public. This photo was taken at Barnes & Noble, October 26, 2022. – Randolph Randy Camp

Autumn Blessings at Randie's Library

Autumn is here. The leaves have fallen and kindness is still permeating. It’s October 20, 2022 and on this bright Thursday morning, RANDIE’S FREE LIBRARY was gifted three bags of books. It makes me smile to see people supporting their neighborhood book exchanges and free libraries. And, by the way, if anyone would like to checkout and read the paperback edition of ‘Monica A Short Story Collection’ (which features the short story ‘Randie’s Free Library’) please check the catalog of the Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library, the Urbandale Public Library, the Des Moines Public Library, etc. for its availability. It truly is a blessing to see Randie’s giving spirit still shining. – Randolph Randy Camp

Books From Heaven: Randie's Free Library

It’s April 21, six days from Randie’s birthday and two boxes of books were dropped off for RANDIE’S FREE LIBRARY early this morning.

America: Writing Love

Saying what’s in your heart and expressing yourself sometimes can be risky, but it’s such a freeing experience. Although I’ve experienced racial bigotry during my childhood in rural Virginia, and unfortunately during my military years in the U.S. Air Force, I try my best to hold on to the belief that there are still more good people in this world than bad people. And that’s one of the things I enjoy about writing. It allows me to display some of my inner-most thoughts. The White family who places a ‘Black Lives Matter’ sign in their front yard knows that some of their neighbors are saying derogatory and cruel things about them. But, in the long run, the White family who’d made the decision to place the ‘BLM’ sign in their yard had chosen to satisfy their own souls, instead of choosing to be silent. In writing ‘America: No Purchase Necessary’, one of my greatest challenges was to showcase an interracial love story amidst America’s heated racial and political climate. Being yourself and exposing your deeper self is always the best way to go. Sure, you may offend and upset some of your neighbors and some of your (so-called) friends while doing so, but in the end, you realize that they weren’t your true friends anyway. Shifting gears now, on another note, September is ‘Library Card Sign-Up Month’. As a young boy I have fond memories of waiting for the mobile library to make its stop in Spotsylvania County. Today, I’m grateful to that same library system, the Fredericksburg Central Rappahannock Regional Library (along with the Los Angeles Public Library, the Baltimore County Public Library, the Des Moines Public Library, the Erie County and Buffalo Public Library, the Urbandale Public Library, etc) for having my books in their collection. Please visit and take advantage of the many services provided by your local library. – Randolph Randy Camp More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

The Teacher in You

This on-going pandemic has definitely changed our lives. Some of you parents have become teachers, whether you'd wanted to be or not. And, to your own surprise, maybe you're the greatest teacher ever. In a way, there's a teacher inside all of us. This pandemic has brought that to the forefront.

If you're doing a lot of teaching and schooling at home, please don't forget to utilize one of your greatest assets, which is your local library.

For any parent or teacher, creating your syllabus and following your state's strict curriculum guidelines can be a real challenge. But, finding a way, maybe a creative way, to set aside let's say an hour or so per week, for your kids (students) to simply talk about anything they want to is arguably your greatest tool as a teacher.

In school settings, a student's classroom participation is a vital part of his or her final grade, but sometimes the quiet kid in class gets misjudged. It's common knowledge that these quiet students have a lot of hard stuff on their minds, especially nowadays with the pandemic going on, and at times, their 'stuff' is traumatic and not so easy to speak about. (Similar to military veterans, like myself, coping with hidden scars and a tendency to bottle things up.) But given the right avenue or outlet, even the quiet kid comes out of his or her shell and momentarily at least, they'll have their moment and comfortably feel relaxed enough to share some of their more-deeper thoughts with the class.

Back in elementary school, 'Show n' Tell' time was great because it laid the foundation for some of you who currently have no issues whatsoever with public speaking. As a student gets older, they may or may not have teachers who will set aside classroom time for them to talk openly about their 'stuff'. But for those teachers who do create these special moments the payoff is great.

I feel so strongly about this issue that I created 'Sit n' Talk' time in my latest short novel 'America: No Purchase Necessary', whereby Miss Pritchett's students gets to speak about whatever they want to in front of the entire class.

Lastly, although it's challenging, try to enjoy the teacher in you. (It can be rewarding sometimes....and please utilize and take advantage of your local library whenever possible.) - Randolph Randy Camp

More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Randie's Free Library: Finding New Readers

Randie had an enormous book collection. If you'd watched AMY POPILLION 's Facebook live streamed April 9th event you would've seen a portion of Randie's books, and heard how every book has a sticker that says "This book once belonged to the personal library of Randie Camp. To honor her memory, it has been sent out into the world, by her loved ones, to find new readers. May it be as special to you as it was to her." After the April 9th ceremony, guests were invited to take books from Randie's huge collection. Randie's Free Library (located in Des Moines) had many books from Randie's personal collection (but most are already taken, which I know puts a big smile on Randie's face). Also, there's an additional Little Free Library, honoring Randie Danielle Camp, located in Ames, Iowa, near one of Randie's favorite city parks.

Fantastic Book Art done by talented art students from Ames, Iowa in memory of Dr. Randie Danielle Camp, who devoted most of her adult life to teaching the importance of literacy and bibliotherapy.

Randie's Free Library: Always Growing n' Always Giving

Randie’s Free Library is growing n’ growing, and Randie is still giving, as she always has. A kind neighbor humbly dropped off the new addition, and it was filled with free books immediately. Honoring Randie Danielle Camp, who devoted most of her adult life to teaching others the importance of literacy and the healing benefits of bibliotherapy, Randie’s Free Library is located on Kirkwood Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa.

Randie's Free Library: The Kindness of Neighbors

After several weeks of severe freezing temps, I was surprised to wake up to a bright, sunny March morning…and, on top of that, someone had left a bag of books for Randie’s Free Library. The kindness of strangers and neighbors is amazing. RANDIE'S FREE LIBRARY honors Randie Danielle Camp who devoted most of her adult life to teaching others the importance of literacy and the helpful benefits of Bibliotherapy. RANDIE'S FREE LIBRARY is located on Kirkwood Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa.

Randie's Free Library

Randie Danielle Camp has always had a very giving heart. With limited resources, Randie always tried her best to brighten someone's life, especially through stories and books. Randie is still giving, even during this pandemic and the snowfall we had last night. Have a safe n' Merry Christmas, Everyone. - Randolph Randy Camp (Note: Randie's Free Library is located on Kirkwood Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa)

The following text is written in Randie’s own words……I’m not sure this accurately depicts my relationship with reading. Obsessed and addicted come to mind but I could do without the negative connotations. Bookworm? According to Merriam-Webster.com, a bookworm is “a person unusually devoted to reading and study”. Hmmm, getting warmer but I collect books too. Bookworm + collecting books = bibliophile. That’s better but there is still huge piece of my relationship with reading being left out. I love the smell of books, the confirmation email noting an ebook purchase, the way books gather on shelves, the moment the author hooks me into either loving or hating a character, browsing the library, talking about books, reading books aloud, sharing my love of reading with others (especially children or adult non-readers), when one more page turns into three more chapters, helping others understand the value of early literacy, turning to a book for the support and love that the world cannot offer, finding friends in a character, using books to educate myself on an unknown, holding presentations to teach others how to use books as a supportive tool for coping with everything and anything. I just love reading, everything about reading. As it happened, my childhood was very rocky. Books were my constant. My love of reading made it possible for me to develop the skills I needed to cope with life and pursue something better. Now, I seek to empower others. – Randie Danielle Camp (as stated from ‘Randie’s Book Reviews’)

APPRECIATING GRACIOUS NEIGHBORS: Randie's Free Library...During this coronavirus pandemic many public libraries are shutdown or only offering limited services. Please consider donating your used books to a neighborhood free library or book exchange. Books have this amazing ability to light up someone's life. Randie's Free Library would like to thank our Kirkwood Avenue neighbors, Mark and Jen, for their gracious donation of over fifty books recently. And again, a big thank you to Sherry Grant, the St. Vincent dePaul Society (Kristen, Chad, and Jennifer), the Forest Branch of the Des Moines Public Library, and so many other kind neighbors who have contributed to the growing collection of books at Randie's Free Library, and for keeping Randie Danielle Camp's dream alive by spreading the joy of reading to everyone. Read, read, read. Thank you, Randolph Randy Camp

*Please note: The LITTLE FREE LIBRARY honoring Dr. Randie Danielle Camp is located at Moore Memorial Park in Ames, Iowa. (RANDIE’S FREE LIBRARY, also honoring Dr. Randie Camp, is located on Kirkwood Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa).

Dr. Randie Camp...Finding Home

It’s amazing how some people can attract and draw in so many people towards them. And it’s so special when you go out into the world and you actually find true, sincere genuine love. Some of us get lucky with that, and some of us don’t. My daughter Randie was certainly one of the lucky ones. Randie poured her heart and soul into her goals and dreams. She was always climbing higher. Randie was very fortunate when she landed in Ames, Iowa and found ‘home’ there. In the Iowa State University directory (in Dept. of Human Development and Family Studies) this is what Randie said in response to ‘Hometown’, ” I always felt that ‘home’ is a feeling…not a place.” Randie was working on her Ph.D. when she fell ill and couldn’t cross the finish line…but you know what…Yes indeed! Randie’s home team picked her up and carried her across the finish line themselves! From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank all of the good folks at Iowa State University for posthumously awarding ‘Dr. Randie Danielle Camp’ her Ph.D……To me, what the ISU faculty did for Randie was very similar to the Simon Cheprot story. (If you’re unaware of what this Kenyan marathon runner did last year at the 2019 Okpekpe Race, then please do go and check it out…so inspiring!) Again, I would like to thank Tera Jordan, Amy Popillion, Cassandra Dorius, Megan Gilligan, Carl Weems, Kere Hughes-Belding, Laura Jolly, William Graves, and Jonathan Wickert. – Randolph Randy Camp The following text is written in Randie’s own words……I’m not sure this accurately depicts my relationship with reading. Obsessed and addicted come to mind but I could do without the negative connotations. Bookworm? According to Merriam-Webster.com, a bookworm is “a person unusually devoted to reading and study”. Hmmm, getting warmer but I collect books too. Bookworm + collecting books = bibliophile. That’s better but there is still huge piece of my relationship with reading being left out. I love the smell of books, the confirmation email noting an ebook purchase, the way books gather on shelves, the moment the author hooks me into either loving or hating a character, browsing the library, talking about books, reading books aloud, sharing my love of reading with others (especially children or adult non-readers), when one more page turns into three more chapters, helping others understand the value of early literacy, turning to a book for the support and love that the world cannot offer, finding friends in a character, using books to educate myself on an unknown, holding presentations to teach others how to use books as a supportive tool for coping with everything and anything. I just love reading, everything about reading. As it happened, my childhood was very rocky. Books were my constant. My love of reading made it possible for me to develop the skills I needed to cope with life and pursue something better. Now, I seek to empower others. – Randie Danielle Camp (as stated from ‘Randie’s Book Reviews’)

*Please note: The LITTLE FREE LIBRARY honoring Dr. Randie Danielle Camp is located at Moore Memorial Park in Ames, Iowa. (RANDIE’S FREE LIBRARY, also honoring Dr. Randie Camp, is located on Kirkwood Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa).

Angels Among Us

Thank God for the Angels among us. This 2020 year thusfar has been a challenge, to say the least, but it’s an unusually warm, sunny November day in Des Moines today. I’d pulled into my driveway a little while ago and noticed a box sitting on my front doorstep. The box was addressed to ‘RANDIE’S FREE LIBRARY’. It had traveled over a 1000 miles from Fredericksburg, Virginia! Thank you Sherry Grant for fulfilling my daughter’s dream and for being one of God’s Angels. Sherry, your box of nearly 100 children’s books will certainly put a smile on a kid’s face and brighten a kid’s life here in Des Moines. So many of you are Angels, and the coolest and the most beautiful thing about it is that you don’t need or bother to seek out any fanfare for your good deeds. Yes indeed, thank God for all of you Humbled Angels among us. – Randolph Randy Camp (Note:Located on Kirkwood Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa, RANDIE’S FREE LIBRARY honors the life of Randie Danielle Camp, who devoted most of her adult years to teaching the importance of literacy and the healing benefits of Bibliotherapy.)

APPRECIATING GRACIOUS NEIGHBORS: Randie's Free Library...During this coronavirus pandemic many public libraries are shutdown or only offering limited services. Please consider donating your used books to a neighborhood free library or book exchange. Books have this amazing ability to light up someone's life. Randie's Free Library would like to thank our Kirkwood Avenue neighbors, Mark and Jen, for their gracious donation of over fifty books recently. And again, a big thank you to Sherry Grant, the St. Vincent dePaul Society (Kristen, Chad, and Jennifer), the Forest Branch of the Des Moines Public Library, and so many other kind neighbors who have contributed to the growing collection of books at Randie's Free Library, and for keeping Randie Danielle Camp's dream alive by spreading the joy of reading to everyone. Read, read, read. Thank you, Randolph Randy Camp

Randie's Free Library

Located on Kirkwood Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa, Randie's Free Library honors the life of Randie Danielle Camp, who devoted most of her adult years to teaching the importance of literacy and the sometimes healing powers of Bibliotherapy.

APPRECIATING GRACIOUS NEIGHBORS: Randie's Free Library...During this coronavirus pandemic many public libraries are shutdown or only offering limited services. Please consider donating your used books to a neighborhood free library or book exchange. Books have this amazing ability to light up someone's life. Randie's Free Library would like to thank our Kirkwood Avenue neighbors, Mark and Jen, for their gracious donation of over fifty books recently. And again, a big thank you to Sherry Grant, the St. Vincent dePaul Society (Kristen, Chad, and Jennifer), the Forest Branch of the Des Moines Public Library, and so many other kind neighbors who have contributed to the growing collection of books at Randie's Free Library, and for keeping Randie Danielle Camp's dream alive by spreading the joy of reading to everyone. Read, read, read. Thank you, Randolph Randy Camp The following text is written in Randie’s own words……I’m not sure this accurately depicts my relationship with reading. Obsessed and addicted come to mind but I could do without the negative connotations. Bookworm? According to Merriam-Webster.com, a bookworm is “a person unusually devoted to reading and study”. Hmmm, getting warmer but I collect books too. Bookworm + collecting books = bibliophile. That’s better but there is still huge piece of my relationship with reading being left out. I love the smell of books, the confirmation email noting an ebook purchase, the way books gather on shelves, the moment the author hooks me into either loving or hating a character, browsing the library, talking about books, reading books aloud, sharing my love of reading with others (especially children or adult non-readers), when one more page turns into three more chapters, helping others understand the value of early literacy, turning to a book for the support and love that the world cannot offer, finding friends in a character, using books to educate myself on an unknown, holding presentations to teach others how to use books as a supportive tool for coping with everything and anything. I just love reading, everything about reading. As it happened, my childhood was very rocky. Books were my constant. My love of reading made it possible for me to develop the skills I needed to cope with life and pursue something better. Now, I seek to empower others. – Randie Danielle Camp (as stated from ‘Randie’s Book Reviews’)

*Please note: The LITTLE FREE LIBRARY honoring Dr. Randie Danielle Camp is located at Moore Park in Ames, Iowa. (RANDIE’S FREE LIBRARY, also honoring Dr. Randie Camp, is located on Kirkwood Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa).