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

Books, the Ticket to Anywhere

Books, the Ticket to Anywhere… Although we may have been economically poor way back then, we were also rich in so many other ways. During the school summer break, many of my classmates would go on fun road trips and exciting family vacations to places such as Yellowstone National Park and Disney World. Thanks to the Central Rappahannock Regional Mobile Library, which serviced Fredericksburg, rural Spotsylvania County and other surrounding counties, I also got to travel to exciting places during my summer break, thanks of course, to the books I would read from the bookmobile. I love how books can take you anywhere, regardless of your income. – Randolph Randy Camp (book nook photo thanks to bookmania) Learn more at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

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.

Don't Ever Give Up!

Keep taking baby steps toward your goals, and no matter what, don’t ever give up. Hands down, my all-time favorite children’s book have always been ‘The Little Engine That Could’. And still today, after all these years, this book have gotten me through some pretty rough moments. Keep striving! (Photo: May 2025, Moore Memorial Park, LITTLE FREE LIBRARY honoring my daughter Dr. Randie Danielle Camp, near Iowa State University in Ames.) – Randolph Randy Camp

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

Keep The Arts

Promoting and nurturing creativity is always a good thing.


Ever since I was a little boy I used to listen to the songs on the radio so intensely. I was fascinated by the stories and characters within these songs, especially the early songs of artists such as Curtis Mayfield and Bob Dylan.


When I was able to read I would read anything I could get my hands on, books, magazines, Readers Digest, etc. I was amazed at how someone could dream up something in their head, put it on paper and then see it come to life within the comics or in a novel.


One of my favorite classes at Spotsylvania Jr. High was 8th grade Language Arts. We kept a journal that we would turn in weekly and the teacher would give her feedback on it. In the journal we had the creative freedom to jot down our personal thoughts, write poems or short stories, etc. And, looking back now, I think that it was this particular class that really got my mind to open up and let some of the characters I’d been dreaming up out unto the page.


Sadly, across America in recent years, a lot of school districts have eliminated arts education from our classrooms (mostly due to budget issues). This is very unfortunate because I’ve personally experienced and come to know the extraordinary value of these arts educational programs and classes in our public schools. Without a doubt, my 8th grade Language Arts class and other arts-based classes definitely played a big role in cultivating my childhood passion for storytelling and creating my own original characters.


Although science, math and other STEM-related programs are crucial for students nowadays, I hope that school districts that are dealing with low funds and budget issues will find the balance and a way to compromise to keep arts education in their curriculum because I strongly believe that helping students to express themselves in creative ways builds a strong foundation for a productive child and a positive student.


I’m so grateful for all of my teachers during my early years in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, and God bless all of the moms, dads, dedicated volunteers, teachers and educators across the world who are helping kids and students every single day to open their minds and express themselves. – Randolph Randy Camp


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


(By the way, no, I didn’t create the comic character Harley Quinn. That credit goes to Paul Dini and Bruce Timm.)

Dani: Lighting Sparks

I have a strong belief that everyone has a special gift and was born for a specific reason. On April 27, 1987 Randie Danielle ‘Dani’ Camp was born. Through the years she has experienced her fair share of setbacks, hardships and dark moments. But her unbelievable driving spirit didn’t let those dark periods deter her from achieving and accomplishing her goals.


Dani has a passion for reading and teaching. Today, Dani is inspiring and lighting sparks in so many kids (and adults), as she is the Family Literacy Coordinator and Educator for Raising Readers of Story County in Iowa (https://www.raising-readers.org)


For those of you who haven’t met Dani yet you should see her face just light up whenever she’s speaking about the powerful impact of bibliotherapy, especially on young kids who maybe going through a rough patch.


This coming Saturday is Dani’s birthday, and she’d set up a fundraiser page for Raising Readers (https://www.facebook.com/donate/2288539324501357/ ) if anyone would like to contribute in honor of her birthday.


As Dani’s father, I’m just blown away by her relentless spirit and passion for reading. I have no doubt about the reason why this beautiful young lady was born.


Happy early Birthday Randie ‘Dani’, and may God bless you as you continue to light sparks in so many others. – Randolph Randy Camp
*(photo taken at Gray’s Lake in Des Moines, Iowa)

Speaking of Metaphors: Randy's Writing Tips

One of my readers recently wrote and asked me why do I seem to use metaphors a lot in my novels. I replied with this simple statement, “Metaphors make the reader think from a different angle.” I further went on to explain how I’ve always loved imagery in songs, poems and stories when I was growing up. Listening to the songs on the radio was my first lesson in creative writing. I just loved the way a certain lyric describing a specific object or an event could instantly plant a picture in my mind. To me, that was a powerful thing and I fell in love with creative writing ever since.
The beauty of metaphors, for me at least, is that it allows you (the writer) to introduce a serious topic while simultaneously softening your story to make it easier to swallow for your readers. This is what I did in my first book ‘Wet Matches’, a story that covers HIV and teen homelessness.
If you are an inspiring author, see if symbolism and metaphors will enhance and make your story more interesting. And please continue writing and don’t ever give up! Believe in your story, and most importantly, believe in yourself! – Randolph Randy Camp
More at https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp

Tying the Knots (or not): Randy's Writing Tips

As with any story, it’s common knowledge that you should have a good beginning, middle, and a good ending. Not unless you are intentionally setting up your next sequel with an exciting cliffhanger, it’s always best to answer all questions of your plot so that your readers aren’t left scratching their heads at the end.
But, as already mentioned, if you’re strategically setting up the lead in to your continuation, then it’s best to limit your cliffhanger teaser to only one or two characters. You don’t want to leave your readers puzzled about large chunks of the major plot, but leaving them hungry and guessing about “what happened to so-and-so?” isn’t too hard to digest, and if written with the perfect amount of creative tease, it could get your sequel off to a great financial success. – Randolph Randy Camp
Learn more at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

Books: The Great Escape

When I was coming up in rural Spotsylvania County, Virginia, I was a somewhat quiet child, and as I got older I began to find my voice through writing. After learning to read, I remember being excited whenever I got a chance to go to the library, either to the school library or to the Rappahannock Regional Library in Fredericksburg.
To me, finding an interesting book to read was like eating a big piece of yellow cake with thick layers of chocolate frosting! Yep, you got it — I was certainly a book nerd…and I’m proud to say that I still am. It has always bothered me to walk into a house or an apartment and find no reading materials whatsoever laying around, especially if I know that school-age kids are living there. Without offending a few of my neighbors, I’ve donated a book or two to their household so that the children would have something to read.
Books have the ability to fly you away to some colorful, fantastic land when you live on a dismal urban street infested with gangs and drug dealers. If you live in the middle of nowhere, where the nearest neighbor is three miles away, books can fly you away to some exotic paradise and bring you back whenever you like. Yes indeed, books are amazing, and I hope that your personal library collection is expanding and expanding. – Randolph Randy Camp
More at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp

DROPPING OUT: SLAVERY WITHOUT CHAINS

After a long day yesterday one of my neighbors knocked on my door. She wanted to know if I could speak with her 16 year old daughter because her daughter was seriously considering dropping out of school. The moment my neighbor said the words ‘dropping out’ my ears automatically perched up and I quickly asked, “Where is she?”
Although initially I got the dramatic rolling of the eyes, the young lady gave me enough respect to listen to what I had to say. I told her that certain cultures and societies believe that females shouldn’t be allowed to read books, go to school and get a basic education. And I went on to tell her that this belief is backwards and a society that keeps its girls from reading books and getting an education is only hurting itself  in the long run because that makes their whole society or country weak. “To me”, I continued,”keeping girls from reading books and going to school is a form of slavery, the kind of slavery where you don’t  physically see the metal chains but they are definitely there, keeping you down and in place.” I further explained to her that we often take our public school system for granted when we should be grateful for it.
Today, as I’m thinking about this young lady and her very concerned mother, I wonder if she went to school this morning. I hope so. – Randolph Randy Camp

Learn more at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp 

Something To Read

Over the weekend I'd visited someone and noticed that there wasn't one piece of reading material in her house. Ever since I became involved with the I HAVE A DREAM FOUNDATION in Los Angeles quite a few years ago I made a promise to myself that I would do whatever I could to ensure that a household had some type of reading materials around regardless of the family's income level. Especially if there were school-age kids living there I would go out and get a magazine, children's book, comic book or a paperback novel.

Without offending my friend, I told her that I was going to the local library to purchase some old books for her kids. Most local libraries take older books out of circulation and sells them to the public for 25 cents and 50 cents per book. I got lucky and found a bundle of kid's books in decent shape at the branch library only four blocks away and my friend's kids were delighted to get their new gifts.

Over the years, especially after working with at-risk youth and low-income families involved with the I HAVE A DREAM FOUNDATION in LA, I've noticed a big difference in a kid's attitude towards school and life in general, if and when they have a sincere interest in reading. A kid's world becomes brighter when they start reading. Period. - Randy Camp

Learn more at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp