About US

 

Growth & Innovation For ALA’s Next Chapter

Over the past year and a half, the ALA has been a beacon, guiding our profession through unparalleled times. ALA has provided leadership through advocacy and partnerships to support all libraries and communities, while balancing internal opportunities of change that the pandemic has brought. I believe we must build upon this unique moment in time of resiliency, revitalizing our missions while remaining agile.  This is truly our new normal.

We must continue to transform, expanding our services and training to retain and grow our diverse membership. We must have intentional efforts at serving underserved populations, by developing and-implementing impactful solutions, working closely with our partners to implement beneficial business models, where all “resources” are accessible and available.

About Kelvin Watson

Kelvin Watson is the executive director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, oversees 25 branches spanning 8,000 square miles.

Mr. Watson joined the Library District from his role as the director of the Broward County Libraries Division, where he managed through 38 locations in the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida region. Regarded as one of the most highly respected thought leaders in the library industry, credited with expanding his customer base in past library management roles, through outreach efforts to underserved and diverse populations.  His deep experience in fundraising, technology, program development, plus his demonstrated success in addressing the digital divide.  A current example of this is a partnership with the Regional Transit Commission of Southern Nevada to provide a library app to bus riders using on-board WIFI. 

During his tenure at Broward County Libraries, Mr. Watson brought transformative change through ambitious and groundbreaking initiatives, such as streamlining access to resources, introducing new technology, and developing partnerships and new collaborative relationships with internal agencies and community groups. He was named the 2021 winner of the Margaret E. Monroe Library Adult Services Award, sponsored by Novelist, for his dedication to implementing new and innovative ways to meet customers – both existing and new – “where they are,” with initiatives targeting non-traditional library users.

Under his leadership, the Florida Library Association (FLA) named Broward County Libraries as the 2020 Library of the Year; FLA named Mr. Watson as the 2019 Librarian of the Year; and the American Library Association (ALA) named the Broward County Libraries as the Library of the Future, all of which he credits to the work of his staff. Other awards over his career have included the 2016 inaugural ALA Ernest A. DiMattia Award for Innovation and Service to Community and Profession; the 2017 DEMCO/ALA Black Caucus Award for Excellence in Librarianship; and as the 2019 Community Service & Distinguished Achievement Honoree by the Friends of the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, just to name a few awards.

  •  Previously, he served as COO/senior vice president for Queens Library, after rising through the leadership ranks of the organization from a distinguished background in technology. In his prior role as chief innovation & technology officer/vice president, information, technology, and development, he was instrumental in establishing several groundbreaking programs, and he developed and implemented digital divide strategies, which promoted equality and equity for all.

    Mr. Watson started his career as a Commissioned Officer in the Active US Army and Army Reserves. He transitioned into the private sector as a leader with Ingram Library Services, Borders Group, and The Library Corporation (TLC). These positions fueled his passion for the field of library science and he went on to join the USDA National Agricultural Library.

    Throughout his career, he has remained active as a speaker and panelist at conferences and an author of articles in national library publications. He serves on the San Jose State University School of Information, Leadership, and Management Program Advisory Committee, co-chairs the American Library Association Digital Content Working Group, and serves on the American Library Association Business Advisory Group, REALM Project Steering Committee and on the Board of the Book Industry Study Group. He is a past president of Black Caucus of the American Library Association and past Public Library Association Board member.

 

Honors and Awards

Broward County Government Proclamation 2021;RUSA Margaret E. Monroe Library Adult Services Award 2021; Legacy South FL Magazine So Florida’s "50 Most Influential and Powerful Black Professionals 2020; Friends of AARLCC Community Service & Distinguished Achievement Honoree 2019; FLA Librarian of the Year 2019; DEMCO/BCALA Award for Excellence in Librarianship 2017; ALA Ernest A. DiMattia Jr Award for Innovation, Service to Community & Profession 2016;
BCALA Distinguished Service Award 2015; BCALA Appreciation Award 2010; Borders Core Values Excellence in Performance Award 2005; Profiled in Black Issues Book Review Jan/Feb 2006 Issue one of the “Influential African Americans in the Book Industry”; Parkway Alumni Association Hall of Fame 2006.

 

Offices held in state/regional library associations, and other associations (include DATES):

DPLA Board of Director Member 2021-Present;OCLC Americas Regional Council 2021-2024;Southeast FL Library Network Board of Director 2017-2021(Vice President 2020-2021);Book Industry Study Group Board of Director Member 2018-Present(Secretary 2020-Present);Black Caucus American Library Association President 2014-2016;New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries 2015-2017;Metropolitan New York Library Council Board of Trustee Member 2015-2017;Black Caucus American Library Association Executive Board Member 2006-2012(Fundraising Chair 2008-2010, Budget & Finance Chair 2010-2012);NCAAL Fundraising Chair 2007-2010, 2013, 2015-2021;Florida Library Association Co-Chair Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Task Force 2020-2021;Open Content Advisory Board 2021-Present.

 

Degrees and Certificates

North Carolina Central University, MLS, 2007 ; Lincoln University(MO) BS Business Administration, 1994; MIT SLOAN School of Management Executive Program Certificate, Internet of Things: Business Implications and Opportunities,  2019; MIT SLOAN School of Management Executive Program Certificate, Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy, 2019; MIT SLOAN School of Management Executive Program Certificate, Cybersecurity, 2020.

To which National Associations of Librarians of Color (NALCo) formerly known as Ethnic Affiliates do you belong?

Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association

Chinese American Librarians Association

Black Caucus of ALA

REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-speaking

American Indian Library Association

ALA and/or ALA-APA Activities

Public Library Association Director-at-Large 2018-2021;ALA Business Advisory Group 2021-Present;ALA Standards for Library Services for Incarcerated and Detained Individuals Working Group2021-Present;ALA Digital Content Working Group Co-Chair 2019-2021; ALA Committee on Accreditation 2016-2017;ALA Spectrum Scholar 2006;ALA Reference and User Services Association Spectrum Intern 2007-2008;AASL Member/Spectrum Scholar 2007;ALA Presidential Task Force 2009-2010,Coretta Scott King Book Award Juror 2012-2013;Association of Research Libraries Initiative to Recruit Diverse Workforce Participant 2005-2007;Asian/Pacific Librarians Association Member(Research and Travel Awards Committee 2007-2009).