Talking Leaves Book Project is all about donating books. We are grateful for donations from booksellers, libraries, and many, many generous individuals (our volunteers, as well as community members). We appreciate the many inquiries we've had regarding our needs. This is a list in progress ...
We cannot accept:
Advertising materials of any kind
Political or religious promotions or tracts
Literary frauds (that is, books by writers who claim to be Native but who are not, Margaret B. Jones (Margaret Selzer), Nasdijj (Tim Barrus), for example)
Materials in poor condition (including highlighting, missing covers, physically damaged--torn, dirty, moldy, water damaged, smelly)
Old National Geographics
Outdated encyclopedias and other such reference materials
Genre fiction that does not include Native characters or themes, or whose Native characters/themes are nonsensical or disrespectful.
Works that disrespect Native beliefs and spirituality.
We especially want:
Books by Native writers, scholars, poets, et al.
Books about Native professionals in all fields/disciplines
Good quality content books about Native history, culture, nations (think: academic presses, presses with solid Native studies titles, etc.)
Contemporary (that is, post-19th century) history
16th-19th century history other than the usual "Indian Wars" -- we have a hard time finding it.
Non-fiction works about ecology, environment, natural resources, tribal sovereignty, health/wellness, etc.
Smithsonian anthropology papers/works, including linguistic and ethnobotanical materials
Back issues of: American Indian Art, Native Voices, Whispering Winds, Tribal College Journal, and other Native-focused periodicals.
Native-themed issues only of Western Art, Southwestern Art, Smithsonian, Archaeology, and other mainstream periodicals.
Books we like and always pick up when we can:
Good quality childrens books with Native themes/content, especially when they're by Native writers
Non-fiction works childrens books by National Geographic, the Smithsonian, etc. on natural history, science, etc.
Biographies, again, particularly written for younger audiences
Natural history works by Audubon Society, etc.
Books about specific tribes/nations.
Books about specific traditional arts and crafts, particularly when they have a contemporary slant. (We would love a series on contemporary Native artists like Preston Singletary and emerging artists.)
Books we evaluate on a case-by-case basis:
"Traditional" and "Folk" medicine: We like the well-researched stuff, we don't accept materials that are not produced by legitimately credentialled writers. Health/wellness is serious business and amateurs can get hurt self-diagnosing and self-prescribing.
Legal and legislative works: We like the 'real deal' -- official publications that deal with tribal and state/federal Indian law. We tend to pass on rants.