The Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) has endorsed Kelvin Watson for the office of ALA President-Elect. A past president of BCALA, Watson currently serves as the director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prior to this position, he served as the director of the Broward County Library in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and held positions in the Queens Borough Public Library in Queens, New York, and the National Agricultural Library in Beltsville, Maryland.

A steadfast and resolute leader, Kelvin Watson is a staunch supporter of BCALA. While working at Ingram Services, he joined BCALA in 1999 before going to library school and becoming a librarian. Over the years, he has served on the fundraising committee for the National Conference of African American Librarians (NCAAL), raising more than $500,000. During his term as vice-president and president of BCALA, Watson spoke out against the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Also, a tree was planted in Brown’s memory during the NCAAL conference in St. Louis. In addition, Watson created the literary award for ebooks.

As a life member of BCALA, Kelvin Watson personally sponsored the BCALA membership of several library school students over the years. He is also the first Spectrum Scholar to stand for ALA President. In addition, Watson currently serves as the BCALA Fundraising Co-Chair. Other accomplishments of Watson include:

• BCALA Executive Board Member 2006-2012
• BCALA Budget & Finance Chair 2010-2012
• BCALA Distinguished Service Award Recipient 2015
• ALA Ernest A. DiMattia Award for Innovation and Service to Community and Profession 2016
• DEMCO Award for Excellence in Librarianship 2017
• Florida Library Association Librarian of the Year Award 2019
• Margaret E. Monroe Library Adult Services Award 2021

The members of BCALA believe strongly in the leadership of Kelvin Watson and consider him the best person to lead the American Library Association. The BCALA gives Kelvin Watson its full and unwavering support.

About BCALA

The Black Caucus of the American Library Association serves as an advocate for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services and resources to the nation’s African American community; and provides leadership for the recruitment and professional development of African American librarians.