LAS VEGAS (January 9, 2026) – The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District is proud to announce that Executive Director Kelvin Watson has been named 2026 Librarian of the Year by Library Journal. This prestigious national honor recognizes Watson’s transformative leadership and his commitment to breaking down barriers to information access, addressing inequities and increasing opportunities for Southern Nevadans.
In its announcement, Library Journal lauded Watson for his ability to “bring together a range of collaborators from across the county to drive innovation and change lives — not to mention opening the brand new, reimagined West Las Vegas Library that promises to be a neighborhood game-changer.” This includes work with such partners such as the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, Cox Communications, NFL Foundation, Sunrise Children’s Hospital, Hope for Prisoners, Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, local barbershops, and more.
The Librarian of the Year award is the highest honor in the profession. It recognizes individuals whose accomplishments reflect the loftiest goals of librarianship: ensuring free access to information for all, encouraging a love of reading, and strengthening the library’s position as a vital community pillar.
“Kelvin Watson hit the ground running when he arrived at the Library District and hasn’t stopped,” said Lisa Peet, Executive Editor, News and Features, of Library Journal. “He has gotten to know the local business, government, and community movers, initiated conversations about potential collaborations, and then followed through on those ideas to improve the lives of Las Vegas and Clark County residents. His imagination, futurereadiness, and care for the community are a great example of librarianship envisioned broadly.” Watson’s work and leadership philosophy are featured in the January issue of Library Journal in a profile titled, “Library A-List: Kelvin Watson Is LJ’s 2026 Librarian of the Year.”
“I am humbled and honored to be recognized for the work that my team and I have accomplished over the past nearly five years,” Watson said, "and I am so proud to share this award with them. When I accepted this position in 2021, I was certain that Southern Nevada, which thrives on innovation, would support the kind of 21st Century thinking that I wanted to bring to our library system. The support we have received from all sectors of the Las Vegas community has been phenomenal, and I am excited to say that together, we are just getting started.”
About the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District
The award-winning Las Vegas-Clark County Library District is an independent taxing entity that serves a diverse community across 8,000 square miles. Through its 25 branches and website, the Library District offers a collection of 2.8 million items, including books, movies, music (including streaming and downloadable), online resources, and free programs for all ages. The Library District’s new Free To Be public education campaign demonstrates the vital and vibrant role that the library plays in Las Vegas and Clark County, offering unexpected experiences; limitless learning; business and career advancement; government and social services support; and best of all, a place where customers find a sense of culture and community. For more information, and to support Library District programs, please visit TheLibraryDistrict.org.
About Library Journal
Founded in 1876, Library Journal is a trade publication serving librarians and library workers. Sharing important news and perspectives that shape the field, surfacing best practices and innovations to invest in, identifying emerging leaders, guiding purchasing decisions, and acting as an advocate for librarians and libraries, Library Journal has been leading the field through the great changes and innovations required to keep libraries strong for 150 years.