The First Local to Head the National Library: Hedwig Anuar

Hedwig Anuar was the first Malayan to head the National Library, a position she held for 23 years until 1988. She was also involved in the setting up the Singapore Book Council, National Archives of Singapore and Association of Women for Action and Research. Her daughter, Shirin Aroozoo, tells us about Anuar as a mother and a person, and about how her convictions about books, children's education and women empowerment were shaped by her upbringing and life events.

Shirin Aroozoo is the daughter of Hedwig Anuar, who was the director of the National Library from 1965 to 1988.

What Shirin Talked About

• 02:40 – Growing up as the daughter of a public figure
• 03:17 – Early childhood memories of the National Library
• 04:57 – Hedwig Anuar’s family background and upbringing
• 10:33 – Early signs of activism at university
• 13:05 – Painful memories of the war
• 16:09 – Becoming a librarian by chance
• 19:57 – Championing children’s books and education
• 21:12 – A quiet, bookish childhood at home
• 25:25 – Travelling together
• 38:21 – Libraries are…

Transcript and Resources

• Read the transcript: https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/all-sections/podcast-the-first-local-to-head-the-national-library-hedwig-anuar/

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This episode of BiblioAsia Podcast was hosted by Jimmy Yap and produced by Soh Gek Han. Sound engineering was done by Nookcha Films. The background music “Di Tanjong Katong” was composed by Ahmad Patek and performed by Chords Haven. Special thanks to Shirin for coming on the show.

The BiblioAsia Podcast by the National Library Singapore tells stories about Singapore history.