Mychal Threets is using social media and technology to bring people back to the world of books by giving libraries a refreshed perspective.
Books hold imagination galore and are the media to boost dreams. However, with the world moving digital, the silence and crisp fragrance of a good old library have been long forgotten. Libraries are facing losses due to the technological era and in the bargain, people are getting devoid of the authentic, first-hand creative experiences they can make from the pages of a book. Positive News shared the beacon light, Mychal Threets’ story, the man who has been changing this dilemma, one book at a time. The social media star who began with a simple love for books is now rekindling the world’s love for libraries.
Threets is an energetic supervising librarian at the Fairfield Civic Center Library in California, United States. Striking a different appearance and aura than most librarians, Threets is here to make a change. The man has been using technology to bring people back to the world of paper and printing. Sharing his story, Threets explained as a shy kid, books were his best friend. The man who now has an arm-long tattoo promoting the list of his favorite books shared that advocating books was never part of the plan. “I’ve been in love with libraries ever since I was three years old. I thought I was going to be an astronaut or an athlete. Librarian was never, ever on my radar,” he said.
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Threets then mentioned how he stumbled upon the opportunity. He realized that having a sense of belonging mattered more than anything else, no matter where one was or what one did and the library was the place for just that. “Libraries are all about belonging. If you’re mentally ill, if you’re unhoused, if you’re a ‘library kid,’ if you’re a teen, if you’re a grown-up, if you’re a single person, you have a spot in the library,” he said. “There’s something for everybody, that’s the joy,” Threets added. He is doing his level best to get the light libraries need to share around the world. Right from skits, posts and other creative activities, Threets is bringing back to life the nostalgia libraries hold.
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Threets’ social media reflects his mission of bringing back the importance of libraries. His posts talk about a variety of concepts right from mental health, living life, simple stories and anecdotes and more. These, too, are all connected to the world of books. Thanks to his social media, people are driven back to finding their lost passion for books. “They’re like: ‘Oh, you reminded me of books I loved as a kid,’” Threets shared. Recently, Threets shared a video explaining that no matter how one is, what their background or preferences are, there is always a place for them in the library.
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“You belong in your local library,” Threets shared. He then addressed the concern of parents and others who were worried that their children who have special needs, ADHD or other conditions may not fit in. While he acknowledged, that each library offers a different experience, he assured viewers that what matters most is having creative experiences through the plethora of books. “Whichever library I’m at, you don’t have to worry about volume or what you can’t control. I’ll make it loud in the library every day if that‘s what it takes to remind you that you belong,” he said. @jaz.suttell commented, “It's because of you my 7-year-old with Autism got his first library card last year. Thank you!” @paloma.gaskin said, “You just brought tears to my eyes with your encouragement and welcome.”
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