Kelvin Watson named executive director of Las Vegas-Clark County Library District

Kelvin Watson named executive director of Las Vegas-Clark County Library District

Kelvin Watson

Kelvin Watson has been named the new executive director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, effective Feb. 16. Watson joins the Library District from his role as the director of the Broward County Libraries Division, where he manages over 700 full-time employees and a budget of over $70 million. The Broward County library system serves 1.9 million people through 38 locations in the Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. region.

“Kelvin Watson is one of the most highly respected thought leaders in the library industry, and we are extremely proud to welcome him as our new executive director,” said Felipe Ortiz, chair of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Board of Trustees. “We are confident that his fund-raising skills, deep expertise in technology, and demonstrated success in addressing the digital divide will help us to expand access to our free educational services and create new, innovative programing for all residents.

Watson is credited with expanding his customer base in past library management roles, through outreach efforts to underserved and diverse populations.

“During this challenging time for our economy, the free resources offered by our community libraries have become more important than ever,” said Watson. “Libraries are here to help children and adults pursue their dreams and build better lives through skills development, education and digital access, and exposure to the arts and culture. I am grateful to the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District for this opportunity to positively impact the lives of our local individuals and families and I look forward to working with local leaders and stakeholders to build on the great work already being done.”

Watson has received numerous awards for his leadership within the library industry, including: the 2016 inaugural winner of the American Library Association’s 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 Culture Center.

Watson earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and a Minor in Military Science from Lincoln University in Missouri. He earned his Masters of Library Science Degree from North Carolina Central University. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.