Mychal Threets may not be a Bay Area librarian anymore, but he has found a new way to share his love for reading.
The former Solano County librarian, widely known on social media as Mychal the Librarian, has been named the new host of PBS’ beloved children’s program “Reading Rainbow,” which is returning to the air after nearly 20 years.
Threets and “Reading Rainbow” shared a joint Instagram post on Monday, Sept. 29, announcing the news via a vibrant video that offers a glimpse of the new season.
“‘Reading Rainbow’ is returning with all-new episodes,” Threets said in the clip. “That means new friends, new projects and, of course, new books.”
The original “Reading Rainbow” was hosted by LeVar Burton and ran on public television from 1983 to 2006. Its premise centers on encouraging children to read, discuss literature and visit the library – all tenets Threets believes in as well.
A perfect candidate for the job, Threets rose to internet fame a few years ago for sharing motivational videos about his passion for reading online. He has since amassed nearly 2 million followers across several platforms.
“It’s so special to have a library card. I mean, that’s why I have a library card tattoo,” Threets told the Chronicle last year. “It is such a beautiful thing to have it just as your access to education, access to curiosity and access to the world.”
Mychal Threets rose to internet fame while he was working as a Bay Area librarian, and became known for his motivational social media posts about reading. (Yalonda M. James/San Francisco Chronicle)
The Fairfield native was honored by Berkeley Public Library in 2024 with a library card featuring his portrait that was available to Bay Area readers for a limited time. The local recognition came a year after he received the I Love My Librarian Award from the American Library Association for his outstanding public service.
Threets stepped down from his role at the Solano County Library last year to focus on his mental health, and has served as PBS’ resident librarian since, creating children’s videos and continuing to use his platform to advocate for libraries, literacy and mental health.
While there is no release date for the show’s revival yet, the new season promises special guests such as Rylee Arnold and Ezra Sosa from “Dancing with the Stars,” 14-year-old “More Than Peach” author Bellen Woodard and “The Bear” actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
It will also feature famous book narrators including the husband-wife duo of model and bestselling-cookbook author Chrissy Teigen and Grammy-winning singer John Legend as well as “Pitch Perfect” actor Adam DeVine.
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