From library kid to viral sensation, Solano County Library’s Mychal Threets spreads the joy of libraries across social media with his library card tattoo and a seemingly endless wardrobe of eye-catching shirts.
On camera, Threets advocates for mental health and representation, sharing his own struggles and frequently reminding viewers, “You are not a burden. You belong. I am so happy you are here!” Meanwhile off camera, he works to bring mental health support services to his local community by promoting mental health awareness and best practices in the library. He helped install SolanoConnex mental health kiosks in the library and its branches, connecting patrons to a range of mental and emotional health services from substance abuse to depression and anxiety.
“Mychal’s contributions have had a transformative effect on our community,” one nominator wrote. “His devotion, innovation, and impact have elevated our library to new heights, cementing its role as a center for growth, learning, and inclusivity.”
Threets was selected from nearly 1,400 nominations from library users nationwide for the 2024 award. As part of his award, he will receive a $5,000 cash prize as well as complimentary registration and a travel stipend to attend ALA’s LibLearnX event in Baltimore.
The I Love My Librarian Award is sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, with additional support from the New York Public Library, and is administered by the American Library Association. Since 2008, library users have shared more than 24,000 nominations detailing how librarians have gone above and beyond to promote literacy, expand access to technology, and support diversity and inclusion in their communities.
