TAN, Rose Moy Kwee 黄玫瑰
The Public Service,
Accession Number 004052
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 7
Total Reels
- Kiang-Koh Lai Lin
Interviewer
- 04:27:27
Total Running Time
- Mandarin
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 7
Metadata
- 3 May 2016
Recording Date
- 00:39:16
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
No 1 (3 May 2016)
Born in 1945. Parents came from China. Father was an odd job labour. Lived in the Kampong at Upper Thomson Road. The youngest in the family. The only child that parents could afford to send to school. Father valued education was proud of her school results. Mother sheltered tender love to her.
Childhood memories in the Kampong. Primary school classroom was on the stage of the Chinese Temple. Great appreciation to caring primary school teacher for paying school fees for poor students and going outings.
Went to Chung Hwa Secondary School, brought father proud. Thrilled eating egg for first time at classmate’s house. Giving tuition while in secondary school to subsidize family income.
Helped by tuition student’s father in getting Public Service Commission application form to apply for a government post.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 2 of 7
Metadata
- 10 May 2016
Recording Date
- 00:38:56
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
No 2 (10 May 2016)
Hardship during childhood developed her endurance and willing to work hard.
First day joined National Library (NL), meeting then Director of National Library, Mrs Hedwig Anuar. Mrs Anuar warm welcoming made her stayed on at NL. Impressed by Mrs Anuar willingness to meet every new staff on their first day.
Working experience at Children’s Section. Not good in English, how she struggles to learn English. Studied night classes at Adult Education Board. Within two years must pass four subjects in Government’s probation exams, like Government Service Instruction Manual (IM). How colleagues help her to pass her probation exams. Enjoyed her work and stay on in Government Service for 49 years.
Joining colleagues staying at government holiday chalet during weekend. Described her work at Children’s Section. Library crowd on Saturdays and how they tried to shorten the books returning queue. Transferred to Catalogue Department for a few months then to Adult Section. Enjoyed the rotating duty serving at Mobile Bus Library Service once a month at different part of Singapore. Described the services of the Mobile Bus Library Service.
Scolded by an adult reader. Grateful to the Head of Adult Section, Douglas Koh stepping in to handle the scolding and the complaint.
Transferred to Administration Department after working three years at public library service.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 3 of 7
Metadata
- 10 May 2016
Recording Date
- 00:38:39
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
No 3 (10 May 2016)
Learned from then Head of Adult Section, Douglas Koh on how to handle difficult customers. Recalled organising talks on flower arrangement at the public library. Memories of the first branch library opening at Queenstown in 1970.
Described her duties at National Library (NL)’s Administrative Section in-charged of Finance. Fond memories of the situation on pay day at NL, how staff from different departments came to the Admin Section queue up to collect their pay in cash in an envelope.
Was asked to transfer to Human Resource Department (HR ) by Mrs Hedwig Anuar. HR was directly under Mrs Anuar. Mrs Anuar hand-holding her correspondence and built up her confidence in writings. Lessons learned from Mrs Anuar.
Grateful to her bosses since joining National Library (NL) in 1967. 1970 got promotion. Later was promoted from Division 3 to Division 2.
Her Philosophy was “We'll cross that bridge when we come to it” (船到桥头自然直)
Memories of the first Civil Service’s special Bonus were awarded to staff in the 80s’, how she worked closely with Mrs Anuar. Recollections of Mr Tan Eng Heng, her boss took good care of her.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 4 of 7
Metadata
- 7 Jun 2016
Recording Date
- 00:39:10
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
No 4 (7 June 2016)
Recollections of computerisation process in government service. Overcoming fear in learning and using computer. Benefits felt in computerisation had increased productivity. However, the face to face communication among staff was dampened. Described a small amount of staff has opted for early retirement as they could not cope with the quick computerisation process.
The changes in National Library (NL) in 1995 when it became a Statutory Board. Dr Christopher Chia was the first Chief Executive Officer of National Library Board (NLB). How NLB’s computerisation in loan processing help in reducing the long queue. Challenges in adjusting to the new environment and new colleagues from other ministries, the private sectors. Learning to adjust and adapt to new things and environment. Transforming her appearance and through grooming, dressing and inner thinking. Computerised leave application process shorten. Staff learned self-help leave application. Appreciated the benefits of computerisation process and system in increased productivity.
Conducted many courses on Human Resource and Finance processes for staff including leave application for different grades of staff.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 5 of 7
Metadata
- 7 Jun 2016
Recording Date
- 00:36:15
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
No 5 (7 June 2016)
Transformation of National Library Board (NLB). NLB, CEO Dr Christopher Chia’s library concept of “Touch one; multipurpose use” in 1995. How NLB implemented the new innovative system at different modules. Interviewee assisted the consultants in the design of Human Resource system.
Interviewee’s experience sitting in the Wealth Committee. Planned the co-pay and co-shared. Work-life balance programmes for NLB staff. Promoted and organised healthy living programmes, organised fruity days. NLB received Gold Awards from Health Promotion Board. Invited by various ministries and government agencies to share their experience.
Shared how Dr Chia supported and encouraged innovative ideas in NLB. Emphasised on staff training. Elaborated what she has learnt from Dr Chia.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 6 of 7
Metadata
- 14 Jun 2016
Recording Date
- 00:38:55
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
No 6 (14 June 2016)
Thanks to the guidance from Mrs Hedwig Anuar and Ms Tay Ai Cheng. How Mrs Anuar led her from Division 3 became Division 2 Officer. Ms Tay Ai Cheng led and promoted interviewee from Division 2 to Division 1 Officer. Her 38 years journey at NLB and almost 10 years at Media Development Authority (MDA), from Clerical officer to Manager and to Assistance Director. She also thanked her colleagues at National Library Board (NLB) and MDA for their guidance, support and assistance in her work. Positive working attitude, diligence and cheerfulness have helped her to overcome many up and down. How interviewee’s attitude help to strengthen with courage to overcome a major sickness during later part of her career.
After retirement in April this year, sharing joy in welcoming her first grandson arriving this year 2016 coming July. The preparation work and courses she has signed up would help to prepare her to be a good grandmother. Shared the useful courses she has attended during her 38 years of service at NLB. Shared her view on innovation. How NLB encouraged staff to be innovative in their work area.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 7 of 7
Metadata
- 14 Jun 2016
Recording Date
- 00:36:16
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
No 7(14 June 2016)
Overall reflections of her life. How she was able to go through and overcome many hardship. Since young, not afraid of hard work, willing to try and work hard, dare to dream. Realised she has live a fulfilling life.
Shared what she has learned in her 49 years of working life. Thankful that she is able to rise from a clerk to Assistance Director without any university qualifications.
The challenges she has faced during NLB transformation period. How she overcome difficulties. Willing to learn, dare to ask, no questions are stupid questions. Thanks for a very supportive husband. Regretted that she has no time for herself for further study.
Time management between work and family. Advice to young people. How she will spend the rest of her life after her retirement besides taking care of her grandchild.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
