The Gladys Spayde papers consist of one box, containing materials dating from 1934-1987, and four scrapbooks, dating from 1932 to 1982. The collection measures 11 linear inches. The box contains Spayde's diary from the USO, newspaper clippings, a pamphlet from the Nuremberg Trials, correspondence, play programs and photographs. The scrapbooks document four distinct periods in Spayde's life.

The first scrapbook follows Spayde's junior high school days through her career in the USO, and includes play programs, newspaper clippings, USO travel documents, postcards, production photographs, and photographs of her fellow USO companions.

The second scrapbook covers Spayde's post-war teaching years at Buffalo Seminary, and includes play programs, newspaper clippings, and production photographs from the plays of her students.

The third scrapbook is devoted exclusively to her summers at the Black Hills Playhouse, and includes play programs, production photographs, and personal photographs.

The fourth scrapbook was designed to highlight her 20-year teaching career at Fairfield Junior High School in Fairfield, Iowa, and includes a biography and family history, a description of Spayde's professional and teaching experience, her teaching philosophy, a self-teaching evaluation, photographs and newspaper clippings of her students, a detailed explanation of the curricula, and recommendation letters for Spayde's nomination for Iowa Teacher of the Year.