Laura Ortiz, director of the Hastings Public Library, said Monday she is resigning her position, effective when the library board selects a replacement. She told the Hastings City Council that she made the decision with great sadness, and loved the library staff and living and working for the community, but, “personal reasons have taken me elsewhere.”

Originally Oct. 13 was to be her last day, but she said since she is in no hurry to leave, she will wait for her replacement to be named. 

She thanked everyone for, “allowing me to make Hastings my home for 25 years.”

City Manager Jeff Mansfield said he was speaking himself and city staff when he said it was a pleasure working with her and they really appreciated her work. Ortiz was named interim director when former Director Evelyn Holzwarth retired in January 2016, and was named director April 1, 2016.

Photo: Retiring director of Hastings Public Library Laura Ortiz.