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.
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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…
About the Guest
Shirin Aroozoo is the daughter of Hedwig Anuar, who was the director of the National Library from 1965 to 1988.
Resources
Shirin Aroozoo, “My Mother, Hedwig Anuar,” BiblioAsia 21,
no. 2 (July–September 2025).
Timothy Pwee, “Hedwig Anuar: First Lady of the National Library,” BiblioAsia 21,
no. 2 (July–September 2025).
Credits
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.
About the Podcast
The BiblioAsia Podcast by the National Library Singapore tells stories about Singapore history.