WONG Heng
The Public Service,
Accession Number 001702
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 13
Total Reels
- Jason Lim (Dr)
Interviewer
- 06:07:48
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
Reel/Disc 1 of 13
Metadata
- 20 Aug 1999
Recording Date
- 00:30:07
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:31) Family background.
(0:03:34) Recollections of the neighbourhood, including games played.
(0:05:13) Recollections of Chinese storytellers and street hawkers along the street at night. Street hawkers formed a gathering point for residents.
(0:10:56) Family owned two flower shops where they stayed. Children slept on the floor at home. Recollections of crowded streets in Chinatown during festival time.
(0:15:42) Recollections of death houses on Sago Lane, soy sauce shops and opera house Lai Chun Yuen.
(0:21:30) Family moved to Kampong San Teng during the Japanese Occupation.
(0:25:06) Effects of the Japanese Occupation on him and his family.
(0:26:16) A Coffee shop at the junction of Smith Street and New Bridge Road was taken over by the Kempeitai, where people were tortured.
(0:26:53) Attended Yeung Ching Chinese School. Transferred several times to Pearl’s Hill School, Outram School, Victoria Afternoon School and then the new Beatty Secondary School.
Born in 1937. Family lived in Smith Street. His recollections of the neighbourhood. Chinese storytellers and street hawkers at night. Family stayed at the back of two flower shops. Chinatown crowded during festival time. Death houses at Sago Lane. Family moved to Kampong San Teng during the Japanese Occupation. Effects of the war on his family. Coffee shop at junction of Smith Street and New Bridge Road taken over by the Kempeitai. Studied in Pearl's Hill School and Outram School after the war. Students of Victoria Afternoon School shifted into the new Beatty Secondary School.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 13
Metadata
- 20 Aug 1999
Recording Date
- 00:29:46
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:41) Impressions of teachers and schoolmates at Beatty Secondary School.
(0:04:10) Subjects he took at school.
(0:06:57) Why he did not go to the university.
(0:07:41) Obtained job as temporary Labour Officer at the Ministry of Labour.
(0:10:03) Work scope as Labour Officer involved visiting factories and night spots to inspect work conditions.
(0:11:16) Later attended an interview at the Public Service Commission and was appointed Library Officer.
(0:13:44) Description of Raffles Museum and Library and the staff.
(0:19:20) Job responsibilities at the library.
(0:21:25) Size of the library and the different sections.
(0:24:20) The Lending Library collection carried many books on the East Indies and
(0:26:42) Talked about the private “Q” collection.
(0:28:24) Functions of Raffles Museum and Library catered to the general public and educational purposes.
Impressions of his teachers at Beatty Secondary School. Subjects he took at school. Why he did not go to university. Worked as a temporary Labour Officer at Ministry of Labour. Later went for an interview at Public Service Commission and got the job as a Library Officer. Layout and staff of the Raffles Museum and Library. Collection at the Lending Library. Reference Library collection mainly on the East Indies. The "Q" Collection.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 13
Metadata
- 20 Aug 1999
Recording Date
- 00:30:09
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:12) Elaboration on library subscription fees and the main users of the library, who were mostly the English-educated and students. Most books were in English.
(0:03:54) Raffles Museum and Library were separate units under the same director. The library was a wing in the museum building.
(0:05:10) Impressions of director Carl Gibson-Hill.
(0:06:17) Working hours and working conditions at the library.
(0:12:11) Salaries and promotion prospects for Library Officers. Promotion system through the Public Service Commission.
(0:16:04) Subscription fees were later replaced by deposits, renewable after five years, to make the library a free service.
(0:19:29) Went on a Leverhulme Trust Scholarship to be trained at Northwestern Polytechnic in London.
(0:24:19) Obtained Associate of the Library Association (ALA) in 1962.
(0:26:57) Subjects taken at the Library Science course at Northwestern Polytechnic.
Subscription fees. Main Library users. Most books were in English. Raffles Museum and Library were separate units under one Director. Personality of Carl Gibson-Hill. Impression that L M Harrod, Director of Raffles Library, did not trust his staff. Limited space at the Library. Duty roster at the Library. Salaries and promotion prospects of Library Officers. Subscription fees later replaced by deposits, renewable after five years. Went on a Levehulme Scholarship to Northwestern Polytechnic in London. Obtained his Associate of the Library Association (ALA) in 1962. Library Science modules he took at Northwestern Polytechnic.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 13
Metadata
- 20 Aug 1999
Recording Date
- 00:29:54
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:09) Requirements to join the Library Association to become a chartered librarian.
(0:01:28) Recollection of lecturers and examination process at Northwestern Polytechnic.
(0:04:52) Recollection of other library staff who went for overseas training and lecturers at Northwestern Polytechnic.
(0:07:52) Associate of the Library Association (ALA) was a requirement to be a librarian in Singapore.
(0:09:44) He returned to Singapore at the end of 1962 without completing his fellowship. The library moved to a new building, and more new materials were obtained for it.
(0:15:04) How he organised the move of the whole collection from Raffles Library to its new premises.
(0:20:42) Received the Yang Di-Pertuan Negara during the official opening of new premises.
(0:22:02) Raffles Library was renamed the National Library and became an agency for regional and international relations through book exchange agreements.
(0:24:19) Efforts to decentralise library services by building more branches.
(0:26:13) Elaboration on book exchanges with other libraries around the world.
Requirements to join the Library Association. Staff of Northwestern Polytechnic. Examinations he sat for. Other Library staff members who went for overseas training. Priscilla Taylor, the new Director, got more new materials for the Library. How he organised the move of the whole collection from the Raffles Library to its new premises at Stamford Road. Received the Yang Di-Pertuan Negara during the official opening of the new premises. Change of name to National Library. Decentralisation of library services. Exchange of books with other libraries around the world.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 13
Metadata
- 12 Nov 1999
Recording Date
- 00:30:00
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:19) Tradition of sending a copy of any publication kept at Raffles Library to the British Library stopped after it became National Library.
(0:02:13) Five copies of any book published locally had to be deposited with the National Library.
(0:04:13) The First National Library Board was appointed in 1960.
(0:07:03) Recollection of members on the board. Programmes organised by the National Library to attract the public.
(0:08:10) Programs organised to attract the public.
(0:11:55) Organisation and services of the Reference Library.
(0:13:42) Description of the General Reference Library, the Technical Library and the Southeast Asia Room.
(0:19:47) Bulk loans to social welfare homes, army camps, kindergartens and prisons from 1968.
(0:23:47) How were the books chosen for bulk loans.
(0:25:50) Role and development of the Mobile Library Service.
Tradition that a copy of any publication kept at Raffles Library would be sent to the British Library. Five copies of any book published locally had to be sent to Raffles Library. Appointment of first National Library Board in 1960. Programmes organised by the National Library to attract the public. Organisation and services of the Reference Library. Collection of the Southeast Asia Room. Bulk loans to social welfare homes, army camps, kindergartens and prisons from 1968. How books were chosen. Role and development of the Mobile Library Service.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 13
Metadata
- 12 Nov 1999
Recording Date
- 00:30:02
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:10) Operations of Mobile Library Service. The books chosen and the description of the interior of the van.
(0:05:31) Circumstances in which the Mobile Library Service was restarted in 1960.
(0:06:58) Why Community Centres were chosen as service points instead of schools.
(0:08:43) Why he decided to move to the Teachers’ Training College (TTC) Library when they were seeking a qualified librarian.
(0:10:34) Re-organised the library and upgraded the premises.
(0:13:31) Librarian profession given due respect at TTC Library.
(0:15:43) Process of re-organisation operated on a very small budget.
(0:19:11) Differences between working at the National Library and TTC Library.
(0:20:54) Extent of the collections at the TTC Library.
(0:24:31) Moving of books from the old to the new library.
(0:26:11) Enrolled in the Master of Library Science programme at Indiana University in 1979.
(0:28:51) Computer course offered at the start of computerisation.
Frequency of visits from the Mobile Library Service. Books chosen. Description of interior of the van. Need for the service. Decision to move to Teachers' Training College (TTC) Library. Re-organised the library. Status of librarians upgraded by Dr. Ruth Wong. Operated on a very small budget. Differences between working at the National Library and TTC Library. Collection of the TTC Library. Reading space in the old and new TTC Library. Moving of books from the old to the new library. Did a Masters of Library Science at Indiana University in 1979. Early forms of computerisation.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 13
Metadata
- 17 Dec 1999
Recording Date
- 00:30:12
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:21) Conditions of his scholarship to study at Indiana University.
(0:01:34) Why he was seconded to work at National Library.
(0:02:19) Duties as the Chairman of the Social Sciences Book Selection.
(0:02:46) Criteria for book acquisition.
(0:05:41) Process of withdrawal of books from shelves when the public raises an objection.
(0:07:25) How banned publications were dealt with.
(0:09:34) Changes to the National Library upon his return.
(0:11:42) Beginnings of computerisation at National Library.
(0:13:25) Appointed Head of Library Extension Service in 1983.
(0:15:41) Transferred to work as head of Marine Parade Branch Library.
(0:18:06) Process of decentralisation of library services.
(0:20:52) Work as chairman of the committee to build Geylang East Branch Library.
(0:23:37) Process of book acquisition and staff hiring for Geylang East Branch Library.
(0:27:33) Description of Marine Parade Branch Library.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 13
Metadata
- 17 Dec 1999
Recording Date
- 00:29:46
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:08) Library services and staff at Marine Parade Branch Library.
(0:02:11) Differences between library technicians and attendants.
(0:05:18) Differences in work as heads of different branch libraries.
(0:06:53) Talks held at the library.
(0:09:18) Efforts to publicise Geylang East Branch Library, including talks and newspaper write-ups.
(0:12:50) Process of transfer and recruitment of staff to Geylang East Branch Library.
(0:16:45) His bond ended in 1985, and he resumed government service in late 1983.
(0:18:22) Job responsibilities at the Reference Library.
(0:22:13) Process of book acquisition for the Southeast Asia Room.
(0:27:03) Computerisation programme at the National Library in the late 1980s.
Library services and staff at MPBL. Library technicians and attendants. Shelf-reading in the library. Differences in work among the Heads of Branch Libraries. Talks organised at MPBL. Activities organised to publicise GEBL. Transfer and recruitment of staff to GEBL. End of his TTC bond in 1985. Job responsibilities following his transfer to the Southeast Asia Room at NL in 1988. Compilation of bibliographies. Acquisition of books for the Southeast Asia Room. Computerisation programme at NL in the late 1980s.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 13
Metadata
- 17 Dec 1999
Recording Date
- 00:30:16
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:12) Computerisation programme at the National Library in the late 1980s.
(0:03:14) The System helped debar against delinquent borrowers.
(0:04:40) Challenges faced with new computerised systems.
(0:07:38) Development of the Arts Resource Centre.
(0:10:23) Support from the Singapore Cultural Foundation and Japanese Cultural Foundation.
(0:12:34) Abolition of library deposits in 1980 to make library services free for citizens.
(0:15:31) Foreigners are to pay subscription fees for the use of the library.
(0:16:03) Difference after the National Library became a statutory board.
(0:23:03) He retired in September 1997 when salary schemes were being revised.
(0:24:48) Changes to librarians’ performance appraisal process and mode of reference enquiries.
(0:27:25) Difficulty recruiting staff for the National Library in the 1980s.
Computerisation programme at NL in the late 1980s. "Delinquent borrowers". Development of the Arts Resource Centre. Support from Singapore Cultural Foundation and Japanese Cultural Foundation. Abolition of library deposits in 1980. Overseas researchers have to pay subscription fees. Difference in present National Library Board (NLB) and previous boards. Reference services at NLB. How librarians are appraised now. Mode of reference enquiries today. Difficulty in getting staff for NL in the 1980s.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 13
Metadata
- 17 Dec 1999
Recording Date
- 00:29:58
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:05) Difficulty recruiting staff for the National Library in the 1980s.
(0:02:04) Funds provided when the National Library became a statutory board helped improve staff recruitment and develop services.
(0:04:04) Book selection process was outsourced, and selection committees took a backseat.
(0:07:54) Charges for reference services for long enquiries.
(0:10:30) Branch libraries downsized when the National Library became a statutory board. (0:13:54) Differences between regional library and branch library.
(0:15:51) Tan Soo Chye was responsible for collecting and maintaining government records.
(0:17:52) UNESCO expert Dr F R J Verhoeven recommended splitting national archives from the library, which formed the beginnings of the National Archives of Singapore.
(0:20:40) Impressions of Librarian L M Harrod.
(0:26:41) Impressions of director Ms. Priscilla Taylor. Her efforts to promote the library and acquire new books including the valuable Tan Yeok Seong collection.
Different staff situation in NLB today. Funds were given when NL became a statutory board. Overhaul of collection of books. Out-source of books. Charges for reference services when it comes to long enquiries. Effects on the branch libraries when NL became a statutory board. Differences between a regional library and a branch library. Archival records collected and maintained at NL by Tan Soo Chye. Beginnings of the National Archives of Singapore. Impression of Dr. F R J Verhoeven. Impression of Librarian L M Harrod and Director Miss Priscilla Taylor. Tan Yeok Seong Collection.
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