The beloved local librarian shared his message of books and community
Fairfield, CA (May 20, 2026) – At Cleo Gordon Elementary School, the joy of reading took center stage on May 11 as students enjoyed a special visit from Mychal Threets – the beloved “TikTok Librarian” and new host of Reading Rainbow – by hosting two engaging school assemblies.
Threets, who began his career as a librarian at the Fairfield Civic Center Library, shared his passion for books, belonging, and literacy with Cleo Gordon students. Known nationwide for his uplifting message that “everybody belongs at the library,” Threets encouraged students to embrace and celebrate the joy of reading.
The visit held special meaning for Cleo Gordon Elementary, which last year was selected as one of five schools to receive funding through California’s Community Schools initiative. The grant will provide more than $7 million in funding over five years to strengthen student and family supports, including mental health services, academic tutoring, family engagement opportunities, and access to basic needs resources directly on campus.
Cleo Gordon Principal Dalal Mansour said the assemblies perfectly reflected the school’s vision as a community school. “At Cleo Gordon, we believe every student deserves to feel connected and celebrated,” Mansour said. “Mychal’s message that ‘everybody belongs’ resonated deeply with our students because it reflects who we are as a school community – everyone belongs at Cleo.”
The event also highlighted the district’s ongoing commitment to literacy and student engagement. “Creating joyful reading experiences is an important part of helping students build lifelong connections with learning,” said Jenn Roush, Assistant Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment and District Librarian for FSUSD. “Mychal brought incredible energy, his message mirrors our school library program’s belief that books help students feel seen, empowered, and connected.”
"This was such a meaningful experience for students," said Jennifer Sachs, FSUSD Superintendent. "Watching them engage with Mychal, a valued member of our own Fairfield-Suisun community, showed us the continued importance of our community schools work."
Through both the Community Schools initiative and opportunities like Threets’ visit, Cleo Gordon Elementary continues building a campus culture centered on belonging, wellness, and academic success for every student.
