UNION — On July 1, Angie McKenna will step down as Vose Library Director and resume her role as Library Assistant.

“For Debra Lay, heading back to Maine as the Library Director for Vose Library, in Union, is not simply a career change, but a dream come true,” said the Library, in a news release.

A Newburyport, Massachusetts native, her work as a classroom teacher, school administrator, and online instructor for higher education extends over twenty-five years. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. 

Lay’s husband, Doug, is a retired middle school principal and their son, Brett, attends Maine Maritime Academy. Debra and Doug enjoy their two Yorkies; Summer and Cisco – who are also very excited about moving back to Maine, according to the Library.

From 2014-2017, while principal of a PreK-8th grade school in Jonesport, Lay’s love of literacy was re-inspired when she led a transformation of the Jonesport Elementary School library along with the financial help of a Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation grant.

With both feet in, she pursued and earned her Masters in Library and Information Science from Simmons University in 2019; with the goal of working in a library. Simultaneously, a partnership with Island Readers & Writers blossomed and Lay now serves as president of that Board of Directors.

“With a deep belief that a public library should be the hub of its community, Debra is extremely excited to join the enthusiastic and invested - TEAM VOSE,” said the Library.

FMI, please call Vose Library at (207) 785-4733.