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| Mychal Threets (source: Wikipedia) |
The words "social media influencer" conjures up images of fashionistas, Kardashians and trendsetters.
While the image of the stereotypical librarian seems more of a quiet nerdy bookworm in muted colors. Definitely not the trendsetter social media influencer type, am I right?💁♀️ 🤷♀️
Nope...so very absolutely, WRONG!
One of the biggest social media influencers at the moment just happens to be a librarian!
Mychal Threets, a librarian from California is taking social media by storm. What started as a few TikTok videos to keep his library patrons engaged during the pandemic has now found close to 800,000 followers. His Instagram account is over 840,000+.
You might have seen him on Good Morning, America, or read about him in Library Journal, School Library Journal, Time Magazine, the New York Times or The Guardian.
Making the News
This past year, Mychal has been keeping his name in the headlines for very good reasons!
- Time Magazine named him one of the Next Generation Leaders.
- Mr. Threets was selected from nearly 1,400 nominations from library users nationwide for the 2024 I Love My Librarian Award. (2024 I Love My Librarian Award)
- Last February, Mychal was also chosen as PBS's Resident Librarian.
Making a Difference
Mychal has also been very present in the professional world of librarians. He has been the featured speaker at several state library association conferences (Indiana, Illinois, Connecticut, California, Florida, Arizona) and the New Jersey Education Association.
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| Mychal Threets (Source: School Library Journal) |
I was disheartened to not make it to the Indiana conference (ILF), because I was truly wanting to hear him speak. His "library joy" is contagious, and he is inspiring a new love of libraries of books...or re-igniting a love that just needed a little spark.
In addition to his speaking engagements, he can also be found lobbying political leaders to keep funding libraries and to stop the banning of books. Inspiring librarians and patrons to protect their libraries is only one part of the equation. Inspiring politicians to do the same is a whole different game!
When discussing mental health issues can still seem like a "taboo" topic, Mychal's openness in discussing his own mental health is refreshing for others to know they're not alone. He encourages conversation on the topic whenever possible.
Although the library profession has been a diverse crowd for several decades, the image of the stereotypical librarian still exists in many people's minds. We are all individuals with diverse interests, abilities, looks, passions and perspectives, and our profession should reflect those differences at all times.
My Thoughts
It makes me very grateful for Mychal Threets as a librarian, a booklover, and a library lover in general! For speaking up for our profession, our community centers, our patrons, our friends, family and neighbors.
For bringing joy to a world that needs it more than ever! Keep that sunshine coming! 🌞🌞🌞
(Oh, and I almost forgot...Dewey Decimal Number: 302.23)
Sources:
"Love My Librarian: Mychal Threets." ilovelibraries.org, 2024 June, https://ilovelibraries.org/love-my-librarian/mychal-threets/. Accessed 4 February 2025.
Waxman, Olivia B. "Librarian Named One of Time’s Next Generation Leaders." Time Magazine, 16 May 2024, https://time.com/collection/next-generation-leaders/6973249/mychal-threets/. Accessed 4 February 2025.
"Mychal Threets Discusses Diversity in Librarianship, Mental Health, and More: 2024 SLJ Summit." slj.com, 16 December 2024, https://www.slj.com/story/Mychal-Threets-Discusses-Diversity-Librarianship-Mental-Health-More-2024-SLJ-Summit, Accessed 5 February 2025.
