APSIG newsletter no. 56: November 2004

Sidney Sing-Wu Wang OAM, 1920-2004

Amelia McKenzie

Staff of the national library were saddened to hear of the death on 22 October 2004 of Mr Sidney Sing-Wu Wang, formerly chief librarian, Orientalia Section of the National Library, after a period of ill-health. Mr Wang is survived by his wife May, three daughters and many grandchildren.

Mr Wang served as chief librarian, orientalia from 1964 to 1985 and worked successfully to build up the library's Asian collections from their early beginnings to their current strength. He was a dedicated librarian with keen bibliographic skills, a scholarly knowledge of Chinese literature and Asian cultures and a great commitment to assisting readers. 'Think of the reader' was his byword, and he remains affectionately remembered by many students of academics to whom he extended great kindness and hospitality.

Mr Wang continued to write after retirement, most recently contributing a chapter on history of Chinese settlement in Australia to the monumental work The Australian people: an encyclopedia of the nation. (Cambridge University Press, 2001).

In 2003 the library dedicated the long term readers room in the newly refurbished Asian Collections Reading Room to Mr Wang. The room was formally opened with a small gathering for Mr Wang, his wife and family, and a number of friends and former colleagues. Some months later Mr Wang made the decision to donate his personal book collection to the library. The collection of over 4 000 books, several long journal runs and a collection of personal papers was received at the library in the weeks following Mr Wang's death. It will be housed together as the Wang Collection in the library's newest purpose built stack on the fourth floor of the library.