Hedwig Anuar

Hedwig Anuar (born 19 November 1928) is a Malaysian-born Singaporean librarian who was the a director of the National Library in 1960.

Hedwing Anuar
Anuar circa 1993
Born	Aroozoo, Hedwig (1928-11-19) 19 November 1928 (age 96) Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Occupation	Librarian
Nationality	Singaporean
Citizenship	Singapore Citizen
Education	B. A. Hons (Class 1) in English Literature in 1951
Alma mater	University of Malaya (in Singapore)

As a librarian and an administrator, she was responsible for many of the foundations of the modern library system in Singapore.^[1] Until her retirement in 1990, the National Library made considerable developments, growing from one library to nine and a change in membership from 43,000 to 333,000. As an administrator, she began several important library projects for children and youth in Malaysia and worked extensively with the media to promote these and other services.

Hedwig also contributed to The Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award (HABA) is presented biennially by the Singapore Book Council to an outstanding children’s book written by a Singapore citizen or Permanent Resident.^[2]

Hedwig is also a founding member of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE).^[3]

Early life and education

Hedwig Anuar was born in November 1928 into a longstanding Eurasian family in Singapore, now in its seventh generation. She began her education at the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, but her studies were interrupted by the Japanese Occupation. After the war, she resumed her studies and completed her secondary education in 1946. She then enrolled at Raffles College, which later became part of the University of Malaya, graduating with First-Class Honours in English Literature in 1951.^[4]

Early literary works

From 1955 to 1957, Anuar studied librarianship in London on an Inter-University Council fellowship. During her time there, she became actively involved in student leadership, serving as the Honorary Secretary of both the Malayan Forum and the Malayan Students’ Union in London. As an undergraduate at the University of Malaya in the early 1950s, Anuar began her literary journey by contributing poems to student journals. Notably, her poem "A Rhyme in Time" was published in the Malayan Undergrad in 1951. This piece, later republished as "Fragments of a Wasteland" in 1999, offers a satirical perspective on colonial Singapore, drawing inspiration from T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land." It was subsequently included in Litmus One, the first anthology of Malayan verses, in 1958.^[4]

Professional contributions and leadership

In 1954, Anuar was a founding member of the Malayan Library Group, which facilitated professional collaboration among librarians in Malaya and Singapore and laid the groundwork for later regional library organizations. She subsequently served in various capacities in the Library Association of Singapore, including President (1963–1965), Vice President, Honorary Secretary, Council Member, and Editor of the Singapore Library Journal.^[5]

Role in the National Archives

From 1969 to 1978, Anuar held dual appointments as Director of the National Library and Director of the National Archives and Records Centre (NARC). She oversaw the relocation of NARC to Fort Canning Hill, enhancing its facilities with a 24-hour air-conditioned archival repository and improved public research services.^[6]

Regional and international influence

Anuar also contributed to regional archival development as Vice-Chairman (1971–1973) and later Chairman (1973–1975) of the Southeast Asian Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (SARBICA), promoting standards and collaboration across Southeast Asia.^[6]

Library modernization and automation

Under her leadership in the late 1980s, Singapore’s library system began transitioning to computerized cataloging and automation. This modernization effort laid the foundation for what would become one of Asia’s most technologically advanced library systems.^[6]

Publications and thought leadership

Over the course of her career, Anuar published more than 100 articles, reports, and conference papers on librarianship, many of which addressed the unique challenges faced by libraries in developing nations in Southeast Asia. She was also involved with the National Book Development Council of Singapore since its founding in 1969 and chaired the organization in 1981. In 1989, she launched the Women Learning English (WISH) program under the Society for Reading and Literacy, aiming to empower older women with limited English proficiency.^[4]

Literary contributions

In retirement, Anuar turned to creative writing and published a volume of satirical verse titled "Under the Apple Tree: Political Parodies of the 1950s", which explored colonial and post-colonial political themes in Singapore.^[6]

Advocacy women's literacy

In 1989, Anuar launched the Women Learning English (WISH) programme under the Society for Reading and Literacy. The initiative aimed to empower older women with limited English proficiency by providing language and reading classes. ^[5]

Recognition

Her work was recognized beyond Singapore’s borders. In 1973, she was awarded Honorary Life Membership by the Persatuan Perpustakaan Malaysia (Malaysian Library Association) for her services to the library profession in the region.^[7] Anuar's contributions have been widely recognized. She was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 1969 and named Her World magazine's Woman of the Year in 1993. In 2011, the Singapore Book Council established the Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award, a biennial award recognizing outstanding contributions to children's literature by Singaporean authors. Her efforts have left an indelible mark on Singapore's literary and educational landscape, fostering a culture of reading and learning that continues to benefit generations.^[5]

Awards and honors

In 1993, "Her World" magazine named Anuar its Woman of the Year, citing her pioneering efforts in education, librarianship, and women’s rights as major contributions to Singaporean society. Anuar's contributions have been widely recognized. She was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 1969 and named Her World magazine's Woman of the Year in 1993. In 2011, the Singapore Book Council established the Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award, a biennial award recognizing outstanding contributions to children's literature by Singaporean authors. Her efforts have left an indelible mark on Singapore's literary and educational landscape, fostering a culture of reading and learning that continues to benefit generations.^[7]

Preserving heritage

Later in life, Anuar worked on a project to document her family’s history, tracing the lineage and experiences of Singapore’s Eurasian community. The work contributed to broader efforts in preserving Singapore’s multicultural heritage.^[8]

Legacy in children's literature

In 1989, a collection of essays titled The Need to Read: Essays in Honour of Hedwig Anuar was published, celebrating her contributions to the literary community. Furthermore In 2011, the Singapore Book Council launched the Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award, a biennial award recognizing outstanding contributions to children’s literature by Singaporean authors.^[8]

Philosophy and personal reflections

Despite being regarded as a role model, Anuar has expressed a belief in forging individual paths, stating: "I don't believe in role models because each person has a different life, each person faces different challenges."^[7]