The Austin Public Library has an interim director — but don’t be surprised if you recognize her face.

Sara Steinhoff, an Austin native, has been serving as an administrative assistant at the library for the past several years.

She began her new duties on Jan. 16, following the departure of director Ann Hokanson, who took a new post in Mankato.

“It has been wonderful, with lots of challenges,” Steinhoff said.

Steinhoff is a 1987 graduate of Austin High School and holds an English degree from Concordia College in Moorhead. She has worked in various positions, from working for the Girl Scouts, to working for private companies and non-profits. Her last position was working as a director of operations for a small company in Albert Lea.

As exciting as those challenges were, she has always felt the tug of Austin. She wanted to bring her husband, Jordan, a Toronto native, to Austin. to share her love of the area.

“I really missed the Austin area, my family,” said Steinhoff, 47, and she and her husband moved back to the area. Jordan works in information technology.

She began her work at the library seven years ago and has never regretted the move.

“It’s the perfect place for me,” she said. “And Ann [Hokanson] was really good for letting me take on projects — I always appreciated that. I love working here.”

Steinhoff said she knew coming home was a great move when she realized how supportive the community was of its library and its programming.

“I think it’s really neat to be part of the city organization as a whole; I’ve been really appreciative of city staff and how they view the library,” she said.

She said the library staff is hard-working; and Friends of the Library is a great group that also works hard to make sure the library has what it needs.

“I am blown away by their energy and their passion for the library,” she said.

She urged residents or organizations needing library services, or who would like to see something added to the library, to stop in and chat. The library’s commitment to the community goes both ways, she said.

“We will do what we can to help, or collaborate,” she said.

Steinhoff said a new director is most likely to be named sometime this summer.

In the meantime, she said, she is happy to serve.

“We are so lucky to work in this great place; in such a great town,” Steinhoff said.