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For millions of people, libraries are more than buildings filled with books. They are places of belonging, discovery, and hope. Few people embody that spirit better than Mychal Threets, known to many simply as “Mychal the Librarian.”
In a recent episode of the Libraries Transform Texas Podcast, hosted by Regina Reed, Mychal shared his thoughts on library joy, mental health, literacy, and why his mission extends far beyond libraries.
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For Mychal, joy is more than happiness.
“Joy, for me, is just overwhelming enthusiasm, just sheer zest for life,” he explained.
Mychal’s debut children’s book, I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy, centers around one message: everyone belongs.
Mychal’s videos have become a source of encouragement for library workers navigating burnout and difficult days. He explained that his goal in sharing stories about libraries is to remind librarians why they entered the profession in the first place.
Although libraries are central to his work, Mychal says his larger purpose is simple:
“As much as I love libraries, much more of the goal of my life is to convince people that the world is better with them in it.”
Recently, Mychal became the host of the revived Reading Rainbow, a role he views not as replacing LeVar Burton, but as continuing the legacy of a show that shaped his childhood.
Whether he’s visiting libraries, creating videos, writing books, or simply encouraging someone to keep going, Mychal’s mission remains unchanged:
“To ultimately become the helper that Mister Rogers always told us to look to.”
And through his work, countless librarians and readers are discovering something important: Libraries are places of joy. Libraries are places of belonging. And the world is better with you in it.
To hear more stories and ideas from libraries across Texas, listen to the Libraries Transform Texas podcast and browse past episodes in your favorite podcast app.
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