It is my great pleasure to join the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District as the new executive director, and just in time to celebrate National Library Week, April 4-10, 2021. I like to think of this as a month-long celebration of all that libraries do to improve and uplift the quality of life in our communities. Now more than ever, the public library is a forum to exchange ideas and opinions, take part in our democracy, meet new friends, make new discoveries, and immerse ourselves in the arts, culture, and live programs.
I am a great believer in the transformative power of libraries and National Library Week gives us an opportunity to recognize the people who make all of this possible, our dedicated Library District employees.
Library workers have always been on the frontline of community service, but the pandemic has heightened their role like never before. Throughout this challenging time, our staff members have continued to adapt our resources to meet your needs. I am happy to say that we are fully open now, with services, live programs, and enhanced cleaning, and we invite you to stop by your nearest branch soon!
The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District is a strong and vital library system, with 25 branches covering 8,000 square miles across Clark County and serving more than 300,000 active cardholders. This is the solid foundation that I have already begun to build upon.
I come to you from roles as Director of Libraries at Broward County Libraries in Florida, and previously, as Chief Operating Officer at the Queens Borough Library in New York. l have dedicated my career to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion through innovation and technology, and invite you to learn more about my past experience and future plans for the Library District here.
During my six weeks in beautiful Las Vegas and Clark County, I have already had numerous conversations with community stakeholders on some exciting new ideas for our Library District. I look forward to updating you on my progress.
Sincerely,
KELVIN WATSON
Executive Director
NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK is a time to celebrate many things - the invaluable role that our nation's libraries play in American society; the countless contributions of library workers' to the diverse communities that they serve; and of course, the invitation to all residents to come in and visit us in person. We're open and look forward to seeing you!
Introduced in 1958, National Library Week is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and is observed each April in libraries across the country. There are many types of libraries - school, public, academic and even special categories - which participate in this annual recognition of the importance of literacy, education, and access to free and accurate information. Check out this listing of our 25 local branches to find one near you.
#WhatNatReads
Natalie Portman, Academy Award-winning actress, director, producer, author, and activist is the honorary chair of National Library Week 2021. A lifelong fan of books, Portman is an avid reader and often shares what she is reading on her Instagram feed, as part of Natalie Portman's Book Club, using the hashtag #WhatNatReads. Born in Jerusalem, Israel, she is a graduate of Harvard University and just recently released her debut picture book - "Natalie Portman's Fables." Check it out from our collection today!
NEVADA READS is a statewide book club that invites Nevadans to read selected works of literature and then come together in their communities to share ideas and perceptions inspired by the books they have read. Keep an eye out online at nevadahumanities.orgfor upcoming programs featuring the selected books, including online book clubs, outdoor adventures, virtual discussions and workshops, and community partnership-led initiatives. Program details will be announced throughout the year and you can check out this year's selected titles using your free library card.
STEAM LEARNINGcan start as young as ages 0-5, so parents and caregivers with little ones won't want to miss our upcoming STEAM Carnival! The Library District is teaming up with the Nevada Association for the Education of Young Children for this fun, interactive event at the East Las Vegas Library. The day will offer all things STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) designed specifically for children ages 0-5. Young children and their families are encouraged to participate in the joy of early learning. You will find lots of booths and activities to spark curiosity and interest in science and technology, and to encourage ideas for bringing the STEAM experience home.
WE KNOW YOU LOVE YOUR LIBRARY. And today's libraries are way more than books! They are places for limitless learning, free access to computers, DJ Labs, and other digital technology, and they provide community hubs and resources for business and career success. Over the past year, the library was a lifeline to many families offering free WiFi, hotspots, laptops, and headsets for online learning and remote work. Even during the pandemic, the Library District continued to serve the public seven days a week. When our branches closed due to the governor's mandate, we remained accessible through our website and curbside pick-up. This helped spark acts of learning, exploring, retooling, and even escaping. The results? Family literacy. Kids ready for kindergarten. Successful students. Employment with new digital skills. Innovative business strategies. Personal enjoyment. Indulgence in ideas and imagination.
Will you help us expand our reach and results? Your contribution helps us support our community during trying times. It helps us launch and grow exciting new initiatives like STEAM projects, after-school tutoring, business support centers, and more of the books and media you love. You can read more about the Foundation's work here.
The start of a new month means a new Vegas Golden Knights free collectible bookmark to pick up at your neighborhood branch! The Library District continues its partnership in literacy with the Vegas Golden Knights 2021 collectible player bookmark series. There is a new spotlighted player each month, and April is Right Wing superstar Ryan Reaves.
Our free Vegas Golden Knights bookmarks provide local hockey fans with little-known facts about players' favorite books, movies, and music. Fans can also connect with "Chance's Chat," an exclusive blog on the Library District website at LVCCLD.org/VGK where you can read Chance's interviews with each player and check out their favorite titles available from our collection!
Besides our VGK bookmarks, your library is bursting with wonderful, free, and fascinating things to discover and do. Stop by any branch during our convenient hours located HERE, or log in to our website at LVCCLD.org 24/7 to stream or download free books, movies, and music from the comfort of your home.
Collect Them All
Be sure to stop by your neighborhood branch to collect them all! And bring a friend or family member to get them signed up for the official Vegas Golden Knights library card. Kids can now get their very own library card, too.
All that is needed to sign up for a library card at your nearest branch is a photo I.D. and proof of address (a current driver's license will work and kids will use a parent or guardian's info). You can also sign up for an instant access eCard from the comfort of your home at LVCCLD.org/eCard.
Current cardholders who wish to swap their existing library card for a Vegas Golden Knights card may also do so at their nearest Library District branch.
LOOKING FOR FUN DO-AT-HOME ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES? The Library District offers FREE Take & Make kits that are available to pick up from our libraries! We provide all the supplies for creative and educational crafts, early literacy, STEAM learning, and more! These take-home kits have grown in popularity and give us a new way to serve the community, while entertaining and educating children, teens, and adults.
Find out what is currently available at the library location nearest you HERE. You can even call to schedule a pick up for your Take & Make Kit through our contactless Curbside service!
When you have finished your Take & Make activities, snap a picture, and tag us @LVCCLD on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram so we can see them and share your creativity!
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Las Vegas–Clark County Library District
7060 W Windmill Lane
Las Vegas, Nevada 89113
(702) 734-7323 https://www.lvccld.org