The initial part of this collection consists largely of materials that Enrique Lamadrid gathered to write biographies of Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert, E. A. Mares, and Leo Romero for the Chicano Writers, second series volume of the Dictionary of Literary Biography. These materials include copies of the final biographies that were published in Chicano Writers, as well as background biographical materials such as correspondence, articles, literary works, literary reviews, and news clippings. There are cassette tapes of interviews conducted by Lamadrid with Romero and Mares. The collection also includes a photocopy of an edited manuscript, Inocencio by Juan Estevan Arellano, and a photocopy of the manuscript Paso por Aqui­, which was edited by Erlinda Gonzales-Berry. There is a photo of E. A. Mares, two photos of Leo Romero, and there are slides relating to Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert's works.

A 1995 addition to this collection includes materials by and about Katherine Quintana Ranck, including the manuscript, Portrait of Dona Elena, as well as other literary works, biographical information, correspondence and critiques of her work.

A 1996 addition includes the manuscripts, Martin and Meditations on the South Valley by Jimmy Santiago Baca. These are manuscripts that were given to Enrique Lamadrid for review in 1986, just before they were published by New Directions, and launched Baca into national prominance. Sections of Martin were incorporated into Lamadrid's sound track and book Tesoros del Espiritu: A Portrait in Sound of Hispanic New Mexico. Romolo Arellano's unpublished manuscript Tito, a play with many references to local politics has also been added to this collection. The play was performed in the late 1980's throughout New Mexico by Albuquerque actor and director, Jose Garcia.

A 1998 addition includes materials by and about Demetria Martinez, and a manuscript copy of El Santo Queso: The Holy Cheese by Jim Sagel.