The Beverly Hannon papers date from 1968 to 2015 and measure 16 linear feet. The papers are arranged in eight series: Biographical information, Campaigns, Senatorial District 22 (20), Legislative service, Media, Legislative issues, and Photographs. The papers reveal the myriad concerns and responsibilities of a state legislator. Each series consists primarily of correspondence, memoranda, notes, and newspaper clippings, which relate to Hannon's activities as a state senator.

Before donating her papers to the Iowa Women's Archives, Hannon wrote extensive notes explaining the issues and people especially significant to her during her legislative service, and explaining the content of various files. These notes and comments provide valuable insight into her interpretation of a senator's role. The comments and the materials to which they refer appear throughout the collection. Those not incorporated topically are included in the Legislative service series.

Of particular interest in the Biographical information series are the speeches, articles, and statements by Hannon; articles written about her; and questionnaires she completed on a wide variety of topics. Letters written in the 1980s to her mother, Kathryn Hahesy by various correspondents are also included in this series.

The materials which relate to her three Campaigns are organized chronologically, with subseries devoted to the 1984, 1988, and 1992 campaigns. Each consists of materials about the campaign: strategy and organization, budgets, publicity, events, and her opponents: Merlin Hulse in 1984, Hurley Hall in 1988, and Jack Rife in 1992.

The Senatorial District 22 (20) series consists of constituents' responses to questionnaires and correspondence with constituents in the various towns of the district. Hannon resided in District 22 until redistricting in 1990 changed the boundaries; thereafter her same residence was in District 20.

The Legislative Service series comprises materials which relate to Hannon's role as a senator: calendars, correspondence with national and state officials, Political Action Committee (PAC) activities, and Hannon's participation in a numerous national legislators' conferences.

Regular columns Hannon wrote for newspapers in her district and the press releases from her senatorial office are included in the Media series.

Hannon was concerned with a wide variety of issues but focused primarily on social issues: family, health, environment, reproductive rights and women. Materials about these issues are included in the Legislative Issues series.

The Photographs series documents Hannon's legislative campaigns and senatorial duties as well as her family. The Artifacts series consists of campaign buttons, T-shirts and banners.

The Iowa Women's Foundation series comprises materials which relate to Hannon's role as a founding member and contributor to the Iowa Women's Foundation, a philanthropic organization serving the state of Iowa to promote services and programs for women and girls. The series includes Hannon's correspondence, administrative minutes, notes, fundraising efforts, and newspaper clippings concerning the organization.