The LAS Dinner was held on the night of 16 October 2009 with Prof Tommy Koh as guest of honour at the Pod, National Library. This year marked the 15th year that he has been the patron of LAS.

In his speech, Prof Koh talked about books, libraries and librarians. Looking at the statistics published by the National Library Board, he felt heartened that Singapore is doing well. He has seen Singapore develop into a centre for publishing and its citizens become more culturally literate. It is his dream to see Singapore progress to a higher level of literacy similiar to France which celebrates its writers as much as it does their politicians and scientists.

As a book lover, he naturally spent a lot of time in libraries. They include the libraries in the National University of Singapore, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, New York and Washington DC. Libraries are a constant in his professional and family life.

In his current position as Ambassador-at-large, he used the MFA Library and valued highly the services of the librarians, Lim Bee Leng and Lau Siew Kheng (former head of MFA Library). They selected relevant sources and obtained the the materials he needed for his speeches. He viewed them as collaborators. He hoped that libraries never become extinct.

He remembered kindly the librarians he had dealings with, which include Hedwig Anuar, Jean Waller, Wang-Chen Hsiu Chin, Peggy Hochstadt, Elizabeth Srinivasagam, Sng Yoke Fong. He also recalled being invited by Rosemary Yeap’s husband to their home for a lovely dinner.

He was proud to be the Patron of LAS and to love books, libraries and librarians. 

LAS also gave out 3 awards on 16 October.

1. LAS Lifetime Contribution Award to Rosemary Yeap in recognition for being a pioneer and leader in the Singapore library community for over thirty years.
   She is well known for her indefatigable spirit, friendship, guidance, passion and dedication to her profession.
2. LAS Professional Service Award to Sylvia Yap for her contribution as a dynamic, passionate and engaged leader, motivator, mentor and spokesperson for Singapore’s librarians, libraries and library users.
3. LAS Library School Scholarship to Herman Felani Bin Md Yunos to support and to encourage him to attain higher education in the library profession. This was the inaugural award of the LAS Library School Scholarship.

Contributed by Yeo Pin Pin