Are you trying to understand the solutions libraries and schools need from distributors and publishers?
Join EBMA during this online Zoom meeting as we will hear from two leaders on the front lines of planning and purchasing decisions for libraries and schools. Hosted by EBMA board member, Britten Follett, this session will help us understand what solutions and content these customers are looking for and help our members provide them within our marketplace.
Panelists
Kelvin Watson, Director of Libraries, Broward County Libraries Division (Bio)
Dr. Tom Muzzey, Superintendent, Orchard Farm School District (Bio)
Moderator/Interviewer
Britten Follett, Executive Vice President, Follett School Solutions
Kelvin Watson is the Director of Broward County Libraries Division, serving 1.9 million people and overseeing 38 locations and the library’s approximately $70 million budget. He's made transformative changes in his 3 years with Broward County and led ambitious and innovative initiatives that have positioned the Broward County Libraries as a community leader by streamlining access to resources, introducing new technology, developing partnerships & new collaborative relationships with internal agencies and external organizations. The Florida Library Association (FLA) has recognized Broward County Libraries as the 2020 Library of the Year. And Mr. Watson was named 2019 Librarian of the Year by the Florida Library Association (FLA).
Kelvin Watson started his career as an officer in the United States Army then transitioned into the private sector as an executive with Ingram Library Services, Borders Group and The Library Corporation (TLC). These positions fueled his passion for the field of library science and he joined the USDA National Agricultural Library and then the Queens Borough Public Library in Queens, New York. In Queens he was instrumental in the creation of QL Virtual Library, the Flexible Standard for E-content NISO (FASTEN) pilot project and a groundbreaking community mobile tablet lending program post-Hurricane Sandy. Throughout his career, Mr. Watson has remained active and involved in professional associations, has been a frequent speaker and panelist at conferences, has been published in national library literature, and has been recognized numerous times for his work. Mr. Watson serves on the San Jose State University School of Information, Leadership and Management Program Advisory Committee. Mr. Watson is a Past President of Black Caucus of American Library Association and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Book Industry Study Group, a member of the Public Library Association Board of Directors, Board of Directors for the Southeast Florida Library Information Network, and American Library Association Co-Chair for the Digital Content Working Group Mr. Watson was the 2016 inaugural winner of the American Library Association’s Ernest A. DiMattia Award for Innovation and Service to Community and Profession, and recipient of the 2017 DEMCO/ALA Black Caucus Award for Excellence in Librarianship. In 2019 Friends of the African American Research Library and Cultural Center Community Service & Distinguished Achievement Honoree, recognized Mr. Watson. Mr. Watson is a member of the Ft. Lauderdale Alumni and Southaven Mississippi Alumni Chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Mr. Watson received a B.S. Business Administration (Lincoln University, MO) and M.L.S. (North Carolina Central University).
Dr. Tom Muzzey currently serves as superintendent of Orchard Farm R-V School District in St. Charles County, Tom has spent the last 29 years serving Missouri students as a superintendent, associate superintendent, assistant superintendent, director of operations, building administrator and classroom teacher. Tom has always taken an active role within the communities he has lived, as a longtime member of the rotary club international and chamber of commerce organizations.
Dr. Muzzey has a thirst for knowledge and always eager to try new things. Tom was the second superintendent in Missouri to earn his National Superintendents certification from AASA in 2017. He is known by his peers as a compassionate leader that always does what is best for the kids. Tom is an out of the box thinker and willing to take risks to create new opportunities for students. Tom has served as the president of the St. Louis MASA region, chairman and board member of Education plus and now represents Missouri as a member of the AASA governing board.
Tom and his wife of 30 years, Dr. Kelly Muzzey reside in the Orchard Farm School District. They are the parents of three children, Dr. Mikayla Muzzey of Kansas City MO, Dr. Logan Muzzey of Seattle Washington, and Morgan Muzzey of Cape Girardeau.
