This series comprises Ted Kooser's journals and notebooks that record daily life. The journals and workbooks range from 1968 until 2010. Original artwork, sketches, newspaper clippings, and postcards are included. Many of the notebooks illustrate the process of creating version of a poem, including drafts and multiple edits. The bound journals from 1971 and 1972 also include selected correspondence.

The first part of the correspondence in the collection includes letters to and from Kooser bound into red volumes. Numerous people, both close friends and unknown authors sent letters and typescripts to Kooser for comment or review, or just to share part of their creative work. The majority of this correspondence falls within the date range 1976-2010. Of great importance are letters that Kooser received from other poets, both those well known and those beginning their career. The letters represent daily life and the sharing of creative work and significance. For example, in talking about the collection at a celebration event, Kooser noted the value of a letter from William Stafford dated Feb. 16, 1978, where the sentiment behind the creation of one of his poems is described. Many of those listed in the correspondence series were poets that Kooser published in his own poetry magazines. Additional correspondence is filed in order according to an individual name or a topic and then chronologically by date. Integrated into the correspondence are files titled with a subject, topic, or activity and this is reflected in the series.

This contains manuscripts and typescripts of Kooser's poetry, either individual poems or complete volumes, the majority of which were published. Correspondence and documents relating to the publication process are included with the publication referenced. In addition to his writing, this series includes reviews of other poets and poetry publications. The poems that Kooser placed in bound volumes and that were filed alphabetically each year are "master copy" pages, which include publication information. Some pages note the date of a poem's composition. Several drawings may be found in the last section in this series.

This series contains event calendars, brochures, and promotional material for conferences, events, and readings. Most of the material is from the first decade of the 2000s, including Kooser's activities as U.S. Poet Laureate from 2004-2006. Some materials include poems that Kooser wrote to commemorate an event or person. There are photographs of Kooser, family and friends, and those commemorating an activity or event.