Kelvin Watson, 2021-02-21

Containers:

Box 1

Scope and content:

Abayomi Manrique interviews Kelvin Watson on February 21, 2021, at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC). Kelvin Watson was born on October 22, 1971. He discusses his childhood in Saint Louis, Missouri, and a ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) scholarship that allowed him to attend college. He served as a commission officer in the Army post-graduation. Mr. Watson describes working for the Ingram Book Company in Nashville, Tennessee after his service in the Army. He was promoted to the Ingram Library Services department as a Library Processing Manager and then worked in the Sales division. Watson explains his introduction to the librarianship field after he earned a library degree from North Carolina Central University. His first leadership position after graduate school was Chief Collection Development Officer at the National Agricultural Library in Washington, D.C.

In 2017, Kelvin became the Broward County Library Director in Broward County, Florida. Kelvin discusses his acceptance of a new position as the Executive Director of the Las Vegas Clark County Library District. He is a member of several organizations such as Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Black Caucus of the American Library Association, American Library Association, and the Florida Library Association.

Access and use