The papers are arranged as GENERAL FILES, GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE, PRESS MATERIAL, LEGISLATIVE FILES SUBJECT FILES, and VISUAL MATERIALS.

The GENERAL FILES include biographical information and interviews, personal information, files about the Executive Residence, information on Elaine Schreiber's schedule and activities, and information on Schreiber's political campaigns from 1962 to 1987. Unlike most modern gubernatorial collections which generally exclude campaign papers, the Schreiber collection includes a few items of this type. The political files are not true campaign files, however, although they include some documentation about planning and fundraising for the 1978 campaign as well as campaign literature and a few memorabilia-like items. The interviews consist of four tape recordings made by Carl Mueller shortly after Schreiber left office. They concern Lucey's appointment as ambassador to Mexico, the transition period, the structure of the Schreiber administration, and the WSEU strike. Other material includes information on the operation of the Executive Residence, the Executive Office staff, and the governor's records. Schreiber's post-gubernatorial career is documented by a flyer about a class on government he taught in 1981 and a 1985 tribute. Other than this, there is no information in the series about Schreiber's post-gubernatorial activities.

The GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE includes transitional correspondence from constituents that was chronologically arranged until Schreiber officially became acting governor on July 7, 1977. (Later correspondence is filed alphabetically by subject and described below.) Also filed here are letters the governor received from individuals denoted as “friends.” This file, which was begun when Schreiber was a state senator, includes letters that were apparently segregated for personal or political reasons.

The PRESS MATERIAL includes chronologically-arranged press releases, schedules, speeches, and a few published writings. The press releases, which include material dating from 1964 to 1978, are only available on microfilm, as are the speeches, which date from 1971 to 1978. Access to the microfilmed press releases is facilitated by a log with the papers. The majority of the speeches are represented by Schreiber's reading copies, some of which are annotated in his own hand. Some presentations are also represented by outlines used by the speech writers in preparing the remarks. Unfortunately, speeches from the period of the active 1978 campaign season are missing from the collection.

The LEGISLATIVE FILES include some general correspondence, with the majority of the series arranged alphabetically by bill number. The largest quantity of the documentation concerns Budget Review Bill AB 1200. The bill files include letters from constituents, legislators and advocacy groups as well as assessments prepared by state agencies and legal advisers with recommendations on signing.

The SUBJECT FILES are the heart of the Schreiber papers. This portion of the series is alphabetically arranged into broad categories such as Crime, Health, and Natural Resources and then refined into subcategories which are also alphabetically arranged. The file encompasses not only the broad issues of concern during the Schreiber era, but also the administration of state government which is filed under the heading “State Agencies.” The files generally include constituent correspondence, which is often extensive; memoranda from state agencies and public officials; and other background information. Among the prominently documented topics are the state budget surplus of 1978, taxes, transportation, energy and the environment, health care (especially among the elderly), and the WSEU state employees strike.

The VISUAL MATERIALS span Schreiber's public career, documenting his activities as both governor and lieutenant governor, with a few dating from his career as state senator during the 1960s as well as from his second abortive campaign for governor in 1982 and his unsuccessful campaign for mayor of Milwaukee in 1987. They include portraits, candid views, and many publicity photographs taken at ceremonial events such as bill signings and tours.