Viral Fairfield librarian spreads message of inclusion, mental health

FAIRFIELD, Calif. (KRON) — You may not know your local librarian by name, but there’s one in Fairfield you might have heard about, or maybe you’ve seen him on social media.

Mychal Threets has gone viral for his posts about his love of libraries and reading.

Every day, bright-eyed and afro-haired Mychal Threets greets his more than one million followers on TikTok and Instagram with a smile and positive attitude.

“I think I made a dance video first and quickly found out I was not a dancer,” Threets said.

Hopping on TikTok during the pandemic, he soon pivoted to talking about the thing he loves most: books!

“I would use the trends and turn it into bookish content and realized this is a tool for us to reach people,” Threets said. “Lets remind them of the library!”

And remind them he has. As his follower numbers grew, so did the number of people visiting local libraries.

“So many people message me each day on social saying look I got a library card,” Threets said. “People from the Bay, from NYC, from Oakland, from Africa, New Zealand and Japan.”

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Threets got his first library card at age 5 at the Fairfield Civic Center Library. But growing up, he never really saw himself as a librarian.

“I didn’t see any people of color behind the desk,” Threets said. “I didn’t see any men behind the front desk. So, it wasn’t like it was forbidden, but it never triggered as a thought that I could one day become a librarian.”

Now, that same library he grew up in, is the one he’s worked at for the last decade, a job he says has been an honor.

“My library has books, movies musical instruments, video games board games; we can use our interests to find the perfect book,” Threets said.

Threets simply believes no matter who you are or what you’re going through, you can find comfort in your local library.

“A library is that third space where there are no expectations,” Threets said. “Not to buy a book, buy a membership, you can come in, just as you are.”

“I do love the fact that I am a black male, I’m a brown male, I’m black and Mexican so I love that I can be a presence for kids of color,” Threets added. “I’m covered in tattoos so they can see a tattooed person, they can see a giant afro-wearing person.”

His message doesn’t stop there. He tackles literacy issues and mental health.

Threets suffers from depression, and severe anxiety and other mental health issues, topics were once taboo in his family.

“I’m happy to be able to present that platform and show people, whoever they are, if their culture said don’t talk about this, maybe our cultures need to be having new conversations,” Threets said.

Mychal’s openness has earned him fans all over the world. He’s embracing all the love thrown his way… And hopes wherever you live, you’ll show your librarian a little love too.

“I want people to remember their local library and librarian are just as cool,” Threets said. “Go say hi to your local librarian — go make their day.”

While Threets has loved his work at the library, he has decided it’s time to take a step away for his mental health. His last day in Fairfield will be Friday, March 1. He plans to continue advocating for literacy and library joy through the new avenues he’s found through his social media presence.

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