MLA Connect: New Ideas: Open Source Resources for Libraries

August 7, 2023
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Technology and an increased demand for transparency and affordable access to high quality research and information has prompted collaborations among publishers and researchers to create and disseminate published research and resources freely available to the public.

This paradigm shift can be leveraged to benefit and support our libraries and communities. Following a brief introduction to Open Access Resources, Kelvin Watson, Executive Director of the Las Vegas Clark County Library District will describe how LVCCLD has deployed Open Access Resources to undergird and support social justice concerns of the community.

This webinar is free for members and non-members, but preregistration is required.

This webinar will be recorded and available through MLA Connect On Demand.

View Recording on
MLA Connect On Demand 

Speaker

Kelvin Watson
Executive Director, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District

As executive director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, Kelvin Watson oversees 25 branches spanning 8,000 square miles in Southern Nevada. Regarded as one of the most highly respected thought leaders in the library industry, Kelvin has been credited with expanding his customer base through outreach efforts to underserved and diverse populations and brought transformative change through ambitious and groundbreaking initiatives. Examples include the multi-award-winning partnership with the RTC of Southern Nevada, which enables instant digital library access to bus riders; a cell phone lending program, which provides low-income and homeless residents with the lifeline that smart phones deliver; and a program that enables more than 50,000 households in Southern Nevada access free personal WiFi.

His dedication to implementing new and innovative ways to meet new and existing customers “where they are” using non-traditional methods garnered Kelvin and his libraries numerous awards, including: American Library Association (ALA) Library of the Future (2022 and 2023); ALA Medal of Excellence; Urban Libraries Council Innovation Award for Anti-Racism, Digital Equity & Inclusion; RUSA 2022 Best Emerging Technology Award; ALA Ernest A. DiMattia Award for Innovation and Service to Community & Profession.

Registration

This webinar is free for members and non-members.

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