By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff Writer

Mychal Threets says the library was his second home growing up as a homeschooled child in Fairfield. Threets, who has shared his love of reading through viral social media posts, is leaving his job as a librarian to focus on his mental health. KQED, OBSERVER
Mychal Threets says the library was his second home growing up as a homeschooled child in Fairfield. Threets, who has shared his love of reading through viral social media posts, is leaving his job as a librarian to focus on his mental health. KQED, OBSERVER

Mychal Threets went viral with social media posts about his love of the library and working in a Solano County branch. Threet’s wildly natural hair and quirky outfits were instantly relatable to those who shared his love for literacy and he is credited with helping others rediscover what libraries have to offer.

Threets, who coined the phrase “library joy,” surprised fans with the announcement that he is resigning from his job, effective March 1, to focus on his mental health. Threets took to social media to share the news.

“I am leaving to prioritize my mental health, to work with my mental health team, but I hope to make you proud,” the San José State graduate said.

Threets, 33,  told fans he plans to continue fighting for literacy, including his desire to speak before Congress, urging more funding for libraries.

Threets’ departure is said to be the result of internet trolls, ironically also referred to as “keyboard crazies.” One particular person made posts about Threets having “a darkness about him” that was troublesome for someone who worked with children.

While the TikTok video didn’t go into detail, Threets provided an extended explanation of his resignation on Instagram.

“What you are saying is darkness in me are mental health struggles,” he said. “I am on the struggle bus … but I’m doing my best. … I suffer from anxiety, PTSD, depression, panic disorder and nightmare disorder.”

Threets went on to acknowledge others also experiencing mental illness.

“You are still here,” he encouraged.

Threets recently announced a collaboration with PBS Kids’ social media programming. In November a petition was started on Change.org to bring back their classic PBS television program “Reading Rainbow,” with Threets replacing Sacramento native LeVar Burton as host.

“Mychal Threets is not just any librarian; he is passionate about his role and goes above and beyond to make reading exciting,” writes petition creator Eva Whitley. “His dynamic personality could bring back the magic of ‘Reading Rainbow’ while modernizing it for today’s digital-savvy kids. PBS would not only honor its tradition of quality educational programming, but also address the declining literacy rates among American children.”

This article is part of the Senior Staff Writer Genoa Barrow’s special series, “Head Space: Exploring The Mental Health Needs of Today’s Black Men.” This project is being supported by the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism and is part of “Healing California,” a yearlong reporting Ethnic Media Collaborative venture with print, online and broadcast outlets across California. The Sacramento OBSERVER is among the collaborative’s inaugural participants.