Mychal Threets believes there’s something for everyone at their local library, and he’s been on a mission to prove it. The former Solano County, Calif. Library supervisor — who in four years has amassed a near cultlike following of more than a million supporters across Instagram and TikTok by sharing daily interactions at the library and talking openly about his mental health challenges — credits books with bringing him joy in his most anxious moments.
Though California has its own law on the books banning book bans in schools, Threets believes a threat to books anywhere should not be taken lightly. “It’s a problem for all of us because it could happen anywhere,” he said. Beyond access to books, he notes that without proper funding, entire regions lose access to online services, including homework assistance and spaces to build community.