The Dick Clark papers are arranged in nine series and three addenda. Series I is comprised of Alphabetical files of correspondence. Series II is comprised of subject files, broken down chronologically from the years 1973 to 1978. The subject files include materials from his Washington, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids offices. Series III is made up of casework files, which includes items from his Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Council Bluffs offices as well as educational casework and correspondence. Culver files make up Series IV, which include memos, office files, robos, and schedules. Series VI is composed of issues statements, Series VI of clippings, and series VII of audio, visual, and film materials. Photographs and slides are found in Series VIII. Finally, Series XI contains miscellaneous materials. Most of these series are divided into subseries.

There are also three addenda and an index. The 1986 addendum is arranged into three groups: subject files, arranged alphabetically, followed by clippings and speeches. The 1994 addendum consists of appointment books, photographs, and speeches. The undated addendum consists of 1982 campaign materials, speeches, materials relating to U.S. Soviet Bank, and clippings. The index pertains to the main body of the collection, and does not reflect materials in the addenda.

Areas and subjects of special concern to Clark range from Africa and international relations to agriculture and conservation, Democratic Party politics to the aged, and education to transportation.