This collection consists of Smith's journals and notebooks. Smith's journals, the earliest loose leaf typescripts and manuscripts, and 15 bound volumes, are arranged chronologically from 1952-1986. His entries are almost all dated, and were written at frequent intervals during most years. Every journal contained at least one loose item placed between the pages; some larger journals contained over twenty loose items. These include journal entries written on loose-leaf paper, correspondence, notes, mementos, photographs and newspaper clippings.

The collection also contains two of Smith's writing notebooks from college. The first, from 1956, contains two untitled short stories (the second with a list of tentative titles), one journal entry dated November 18, 1956, and two short radio announcement scripts. The second, from 1957-1958, contains three poems (two untitled, one called "Study in the Library"), two short stories: "Decision" and "The Friends," one letter (to Bonnie), and one journal entry dated October 5, 1958.