Cole: Staying Positive and Sober

Cole: Staying Positive and Sober… Randie’s Free Library is grateful and fortunate to get book donations from people of all walks of life. The gentleman pictured above is Cole. A proud military veteran and a recovering alcoholic, Cole is two years sober and regularly attends A.A. meetings. In his ongoing recovery, Cole gets excited about motivating and inspiring others to stay clean. Along with his wife and daughter, Cole takes care of several horses. Cole says that working with the horses is a big help to his sobriety. On this sunny September morning, Cole happily donated the book ‘Daily Reflections’ to Randie’s Free Library. ‘Daily Reflections’ contains positive and uplifting messages to help those dealing with addictions, sobriety, and recovery. Cole’s journey is certainly inspiring. Cole now works as a professional heating and cooling technician in Des Moines. As a kid, Cole enjoyed reading ‘Where The Wild Things Are’. The Little Free Library (honoring Randie at Moore Memorial Park in Ames) and Randie’s Free Library greatly appreciates all book donations. – Randolph Randy Camp

Local Author Julia Dunt Visits Randie's Free Library

Randie’s Free Library was blessed yesterday with a visit from the true embodiment and spirit of giving back. Based in Des Moines, author Julia Dunt is constantly working on her own material, but graciously makes time to support and help up and coming writers within the various writers’ groups and workshops she’s involved with. During my conversation with Julia I was blown away with her sense of helping others and her community spirit. Not only is Julia an author, but she’s also a librarian. Julia’s love of books and reading started at a very young age. The ‘Goosebumps’ series were a favorite of Julia’s when she was little, but her interest now in stories vary throughout all genres. Julia says that she especially enjoys stories that are a little ‘outside the box’. While speaking with Julia I just love the way her face lights up when she’s talking about certain books or stories. This world would be a much better place if we had a few more giving Angels like Julia. It’s always a thrill when someone from my daughter Randie’s alma mater visits the Free Library. Julia’s husband Jamie is an alumni of Iowa State University. With a background in aeronautical engineering and being an avid outdoorsman, it was no surprise when Jamie mentioned that when he was growing up he was always curious about how things worked and shared memories of reading ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ as a kid. And, in the spirit of giving, while visiting yesterday, Julia also generously donated several books to Randie’s Free Library. If you would like to learn more about author Julia Dunt’s books or her other literary projects go to https://www.juliadunt.com/books . – Randolph Randy Camp

Heart of Gold

Heart of Gold… It’s not easy to experience heartaches and trauma and still come out of it with a loving, golden heart. Although Randie went through a lot of rough patches, she persevered and wouldn’t hesitate to reach out and help others, if she could. During her darkest days, Randie found comfort in reading certain stories. Relatable characters helped her get through some very traumatic events in her own life. We all have our favorite poems and songs to lift our spirit when we’re feeling down. Randie believed strongly in the healthy benefits of bibliotherapy. For most of her adult life, Randie devoted her time to promoting literacy and bibliotherapy. Once again, I want to thank all of you for keeping Randie’s dream alive with your book donations to Randie’s Free Library (and to the Little Free Library at Moore Memorial Park). Two days ago, a package from Dublin, Ireland arrived for Randie’s Free Library. Inside was a nice note from Enya, along with four books. In the brief note, Enya shared how she was moved and inspired by Randie’s story that she’s seriously considering creating a free book exchange in her neighborhood, which is on the outskirts of Dublin. By the way, in this short note, Enya also shared an interesting Irish saying, ‘If God sends you down a stony path, may he give you strong shoes.’ Thanks to people like Enya and people like all of you, my grief and pain of missing Randie is eased a bit. After going through such terrible periods, Randie had every right to be angry. But, instead of being mad at the world, Randie chose love, and chose to help others. It’s comforting to know that Randie’s heart of gold is still being felt around the world. – Randolph Randy Camp Note: Randie’s Free Library is located on East Kirkwood Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa and the Raising Readers of Story County Little Free Library (which is dedicated in Randie’s honor) is located at Moore Memorial Park in Ames, Iowa.

Acts of Kindness

Yes, it’s true, today’s headlines are definitely disheartening. The news makes it hard to believe and trust anyone anymore. While I was in the Air Force I experienced things that made me sick, but every day I fight to regain my trust in people. Every now and then others show their kindness and that helps me in my struggle to regain this trust. No matter how cruel and mean the world gets though, ultimately I do believe that there are more kind and goodhearted people out there than bad ones. Case and point, on this sunny January morning, an anonymous act of kindness was shown at RANDIE’S FREE LIBRARY. May God Bless each and every one of you who continually maintains a kind heart regardless of the heartless things you see and read about in the news. – Randolph Randy Camp

Thank You

We all have a special light in us. It’s been over five years since Randie ‘Dani’ has been physically gone but her spirit is still felt every single day. It is five days before Christmas, and within the past two weeks, RANDIE’S FREE LIBRARY has received book donations from all around the globe. I would like to especially thank Akiko (from Hachinohe, Japan), Lina (from Cologne, Germany), Terry (from Tallahassee, Florida), and Jamila (from Nairobi, Kenya) for their generous book donations and helping to fulfill Randie’s dream. Sometimes these packages come on my most darkest of days and I can’t even express to y’all how my spirit is instantly lifted when I see them at my doorstep. It’s like Randie is sending me messages from Heaven, saying “I’m still here.” It warms my heart to know that Randie is touching people from around the world and that her light is still shining. And once again, I would like to sincerely thank everyone for your book donations, and may the light inside of you will continue to shine brightly! Have a wonderful Christmas EVERYONE. – Randolph Randy Camp

High Praise For Teachers and Librarians Everywhere!

Now that summer is here and school is out, please take a moment to visit your local public library. Librarians, teachers, and literacy advocates are some of the most dedicated and passionate people I know. I love to honor them whenever I can just to show how much I really appreciate the work that they do. The library card is the most important card in my wallet, for sure. As you take steps to achieving your goals, the library can be an excellent way to start your journey. A lot of libraries have excellent Summer Reading Programs for all ages. Reading is a great way to brighten a child's life. The Raising Readers Organization of Story County played a major role in erecting this Little Free Library, which is located at Moore Memorial Park in Ames, Iowa. It honors my daughter Randie 'Dani' Camp, who poured her heart and soul into teaching the importance of literacy. Whatever you do this summer, please make a visit to your local library.

Let The People Read, Let The Teachers Teach!

A child reading is a wonderful thing. I love how books have a way of opening up a person's world. Now that summer is here, many libraries and school districts are promoting their Summer Reading Programs. It's great to see the growing popularity of neighborhood book exchanges and Little Free Libraries, especially in areas around the country where book banning has become a hot topic issue. Teachers and librarians are professional and very skilled at what they do. When I was coming up, and way before all of this widespread book banning began to make the headlines, teachers and librarians simply would not allow certain books on the shelf if they thought that it wasn't appropriate. Some of these current book banning laws are an insult to our professional, dedicated teachers and librarians. Regardless of whatever, we should all be promoting and encouraging everyone to read, especially our children. Personally, I think that some politicians and lawmakers are taking the lazy approach when they approve an all-out book ban policy on certain books. Instead, the more wiser and more professional approach should be supporting policies that creates options and allow people to make choices. It's great when our elected officials and school districts create space and sections of the public library or the school library to have and proudly display a 'banned books' area. No matter what, we shouldn't be in the business of taking away books, but instead, we should be more involved in providing a greater number of books that promotes different viewpoints and cultures. This is the greatness of our devoted teachers and librarians. For years, these dedicated teachers and librarians have been allowing their students to make their own choices by having engaged discussions about what options are available. Let the teachers teach! Let the people read! One of the goals of the school system is to prepare our kids for the real world. If we take certain books away from our kids are we really preparing them for the real world? - Randolph Randy Camp (Photo: Grandson Noah and me) Side Note: Sadly but true, some of these current book banning laws in America are historically rooted in racism and bigotry. Once there was a time in America whereby there were laws on the books that made it illegal to teach slaves how to read or write. Also, Native American Boarding Schools tried to strip American Indian Tribes of their native language by way of assimilation. Racism and bigotry shows itself in the most unsuspecting places sometimes. It comes in all shapes and sizes. I'm a proud military veteran, but even I have seen and have personally experienced racism and bigotry while serving in the US Air Force. It's 2024 now, and the more I keep hearing about these current book banning laws here in America, the more I keep encouraging everyone, especially young kids, to read, read, read! - Randolph R. Camp

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!