Executive Director
Las Vegas-Clark County Library District
As executive director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, Kelvin Watson oversees 25 branches run by 600+ employees, spanning 8,000 square miles, with a budget of $77 million and a collection of 3.2 million items. Kelvin has brought innovative, award-winning leadership to Nevada’s largest library system and his deep experience in fundraising, technology, program development, and demonstrated success in addressing the digital divide has brought a new era to this library system.
Regarded as one of the most highly respected thought leaders in the library industry, Kelvin is credited with expanding his customer base in multiple library management roles through outreach efforts to underserved and diverse populations. Two examples in Las Vegas are a partnership with the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, which made digital access to the library available to bus riders, and in 2022 was recognized with three awards -- the American Library Association Library (ALA) of the Future Award, the RUSA Best Emerging Technology Award, and the Urban Libraries Council Top Innovators Honorable Mention. In addition, the Library District’s many literacy programs for adults and children received the Crystal Bookmark Award from the Las Vegas Book Festival.
Spectrum Institute: Writing Our Own Leadership Narratives: Being the Change Agent
Friday, June 23, 2023
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM CT