Fonds consists of correspondence, research, notes, written works, newspaper clippings and other records accumulated by Shackleton over her lifetime. These include records relating to her career as a writer, editor and journalist, her political activities, her education, research, travels abroad and those records relating to her professional and personal relationships within organizations and with acquaintances, friends and family members. Records have been arranged into the following seven series: Writing records ([194-]-2001); Research and reference files ([196-]-1985); Education and employment records (1931-[ca. 1992]); Political records (1944-1979); Professional organization records (1983-2001); Personal subject files ([19--]-2001); and Travel souvenirs, notes, and ephemera ([196-?]-1995).