The John Q. Anderson Papers contain extensive materials including letters from former students, a diary, transcripts and other materials relating to American folk beliefs, medicine, and folksongs along with newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, notes, and many other items.

This set of papers documents Leon Hale's long and prolific writing career that began in 1946. It is divided into ten major categories with the bulk of the material being comprised of Mr. Hale's book projects, daily columns, letters from readers, and miscellaneous articles. The materials are housed in sixteen boxes, including fourteen record cartons and two oversized boxes. Each of the categories is prefaced by a detailed description.