WiLSWorld 2015 Keynote Speaker, Kelvin Watson

WiLS is pleased to welcome our keynote speaker for WiLSWorld,2015, Kelvin Watson!

Kelvin Watson is the Vice President Digital Services & Strategy and Interim Vice President Information, Technology, and Development at the Queens Library.  Kelvin leads the development and implementation of system-wide library content(physical, digital, databases, etc.), e-user experience, e-programs and special services by working across the organization, across the library field and across related industries to create new models of content delivery to public library customers.

Before coming to Queens, Kelvin served as the Branch Head, Acquisitions & Collection Development at the National Agricultural Library (NAL) in Maryland. In that role, he directed the formulation of current and long-range national resource collection policies, plans and programs, and coordinated those efforts within the organizational units of NAL and other Government agencies, land-grant institutions and related organizations.  Prior to accepting his position with the National Agricultural Library he was the Director of Business Development for The Library Corporation, a library automation company, and was the product owner for the Online Selection Assistant.  Prior to TLC, he held several leadership roles in sales and marketing with Borders Group, Inc. At Ingram Book Group/Ingram Library Services, Kelvin held leadership roles in sales, marketing, collection development, warehouse management (logistics) and library technical services. Kelvin has also served as a Commissioned Officer in the Active US Army and Army Reserves.

Kelvin has a BS in Business Administration and a Minor in Military Science from Lincoln University (MO). He also has his Masters Library Science from North Carolina Central University.  Kelvin is a Member of the Regents Advisory Council on Libraries (NY) 2015-2019, NY Metropolitan Library Council Board Member, current President Black Caucus of American Library Association2014-2016 and is an ALA, AASL, and RUSA Spectrum Scholar.  He was profiled in Black Issues Book Review Jan/Feb 2006 Issue as one of the “Influential African Americans in the Book Industry.”

WiLSWorld 2015 keynote address sponsored by CQ Press