By the mid 1960s, Central’s enrollment was predicted to grow to 12,000 – 15,000 students within the next two decades. In preparation, Central’s leadership felt compelled to acquire land covering several blocks to the north of campus. One of the buildings planned to occupy this land was a new library. Planning for the new library extended over several years. The goals of this new building were for it to be large enough to house 1 million volumes, accommodate the numerous periodicals needed by the growing undergraduate and graduate programs, and include space for various specialized departments, including maps, documents, and music. The new library was designed to have 319 enclosures for private study, additional larger study areas for small groups, and approximately 30 faculty-graduate student research rooms as well as several typing rooms. It was intended to feature the latest in library equipment and allow for future expansion, including installation of sophisticated computer services.
Plans were finalized for the move of 280,000 books and other materials from the previous library, located in Bouillon Hall, to the new library complex in the summer of 1975. Tours of the new library were held starting on September 29th, 1975.
Photograph provided by the CWU Archives and Special Collections.
Dr. James E. Brooks served as the President of Central Washington State College (now Central Washington University) from 1961-1978. Afterward, he became a member of the faculty in the Geography Department and instructed until his retirement in 1993. During his presidency, Dr. Brooks oversaw the transition of our institution transform into the university we are today. After his retirement from the faculty in 1993, Jim revived the Friends of the Library organization. When he was president, Dr. Brooks considered the library to be one of the primary pillars of the university's academic purpose. The library building was dedicated and named in honor of James E. Brooks in 2003.
In 1946, Dr. Brooks enrolled at Central Washington College of Education (now CWU) on the GI Bill and convinced Lillian Literal, who he was dating, to transfer to Central from Western Washington University. The two were married in 1947. After completing his B.A. in Education and Social Science in 1949, Dr. Brooks went on to earn a M.A. and Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Washington. After teaching at Eastern Washington University and Portland State University, Dr. Brooks began serving as Central’s president while only 35 years old. He became the only Central graduate to ever serve as the school’s president. During his tenure, Dr. Brooks guided Central during its transition from Central Washington State College to the present Central Washington University. He oversaw a massive expansion of the arts and sciences programs as enrollment increased from 2,300 to 7,500. Additionally, Dr. Brooks saw Central’s physical size jump from 113 acres to over 300 acres.
During his CWU career, Dr. Brooks was named Distinguished Alumni and Phi Delta Kappa CWU Educator of the Year in 1986, Distinguished University Professor for Public Service in 1990, CWU Alumni Lifetime Service Award winner in 2015, and was Commencement speaker in 1993.
Both Dr. Brooks and his wife, Lillian, were generous supporters of Central’s library, and in 1978, they established the Friends of the Library Endowment, and in 1995, the Brooks-Shaw Endowment, which awards scholarships to students studying geography.
Dr. James E. Brooks and Lillian Brooks. Photograph provided by Carol Findley (daughter).
In 1999, Tsungani (Fearon Smith, Jr.) carved a traditional Native American totem pole for the James E. Brooks Library in Ellensburg, Washington. At the time, Tsungani served as chief of the Wiummasgum Clan of the House of Lelooska and the House of Sewide. A dedication was held on October 25th, 1999.
The 15-foot-tall totem pole was presented on October 25th, 1999. The dedication and installation kicked off the celebration of Native American Awareness Week. Lelooska is known for his skills as a storyteller, carver, painter, and teacher. The Nez Perce tribe gave him the name "Lelooska" meaning "He who cuts against wood with a knife," after he carved a portrait of Chief Joseph.
The pole features Watchmen, Raven, Salmon Woman, Ancestors, and Bear character carvings familiar to many tribes in the Pacific Northwest. The pole carver, Tsungani Fearon Smith, is recognized internationally for his carvings. The Lelooska family has been preserving cultural and artistic traditions of the native Pacific Northwest coast tribes for over 50 years. The family's artistry and beauty in jewelry and carvings are recognized internationally.
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