The Kathleen Wood Laurila papers date from 1956 to 1999 and measure 34.5 linear feet. The papers are arranged in eight series: Biographical material, Business and professional material, Energy and Environment, Miscellaneous Volunteer Projects, Peace and National Security, Women's Issues/Advocacy, American Association of University Women, and Artifacts. These series follow the original order of materials as organized by Laurila.

The Biographical material series consists of sorority materials from Laurila's years as a student at the University of Minnesota. Included are articles relating to the first interracial sorority at the University. Also included in the series are the various honors and awards presented to Laurila for her business acumen and attention to women in business.

The Business and professional material series focuses on the activities of Laurila's two businesses: Interior Planning and Creative Enterprises. Several projects comprise these two sub-series, including the Iowa Veterans Home, Security Bank, Hotel Pattee, the Iowa Caucus Project '88, Neighbors for Good Government, and the G.W. Carver Center for Pioneer Hi-Bred International. Design projects consist of floor plans, correspondence, and numerous files for every décor decision, including carpeting, furnishings, moldings, draperies, light fixtures, and art work.

Public affairs services such as the Iowa Caucus Project '88 and Neighbors for Good Government (the 1994 campaign to change Des Moines and other Polk County communities in Iowa to a commonwealth form of government) include brochures, mailings, slides, audio and videocassettes, editorials and articles, presentations, strategies and correspondence.

The Energy and Environment series represents Laurila's environmental activism and includes information on several organizations and conferences. This series also includes research materials regarding synthetic fuel, solar energy and nuclear energy.

The Miscellaneous Volunteer Projects series includes many of Laurila's political activities along with leadership conferences and workshops.

The Peace and National Security series pertains to Laurila's peace activities, including international outreach programs. This series is divided into several sub-series including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Iowa International Council, the Iowa Peace Institute, the National Peace Institute and the Iowa Sister State Program. Materials include conferences, workshops, board meetings, and presentations. There is also a set of audiocassette tapes from the National Security Conference Laurila attended.

The Women's Issues/Advocacy series includes Laurila's activities with the International Federation of University Women, Planned Parenthood and several other groups focused on women's issues and advocacy. Laurila attended several conferences dealing with women and international development; included are materials from the Fourth United Nations World Conference on Women in 1995 (also known as the Beijing Conference), and the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 (also known as Earth Summit).

The largest series in the collection is the American Association of University Women. This series is sub-divided into the Des Moines Branch, Iowa State Division and National and follows Laurila's organization and filing system. Materials include conferences and conventions, newsletters, directories, board minutes, projects, and research files. The General files contain a mixture of correspondence, memos and notes.

The Artifacts series contains buttons, tote-bags, tee-shirts, and posters relating to Laurila's wide range of activism, including the American Association of University Women, Planned Parenthood, Anita Hill, Iowa Caucus Project '88 and the Des Moines Commonwealth campaign.