The papers of Frank T. Nye consist of 18.5 linear feet of manuscripts dating from 1942 to 1983. The collection, which relates primarily to Nye's career in journalism, is organized in five separate series: 1) Correspondence and Photographs; 2) Individuals and Subjects; 3) Iowa; 4) Professional Writings, and; 5) Personal. There is also an addendum containing material on a variety of subjects which was given at a later date. Each series is arranged chronologically within an alphabetical sequence.

Series one consists of three boxes of correspondence and one box of photographs. Included are letters from: James E. Bromwell, John C. Culver, Jay N. Darling, John M. Henry, Bourke B. Hickenlooper, Harold E. Hughes, Herschel C. Loveless, Jack Miller, Robert D. Ray, Tom Riley, Fred Schwengel, David O. Schaff, and Harrison Weber. The individual and subject series is made up of folders relating to specific people and topics. The individuals include Dick Clark and John Culver to H.R. Gross and James Leach or Harold E. Hughes and Robert D. Ray to Herbert Hoover and Ronald Reagan. Subjects range from education and busing to alcohol abuse and highways.

The third series "Iowa" consists of eight and a half boxes of subject files relating to reapportionment, Iowa politics, the legislature, the University of Iowa, the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library Association, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Nye's professional writings are found in the next section. There are thirteen and a half boxes documenting his work in print. Included are stories he did for the New York Times, Newsweek, Fortune, Sports Illustrated, and other major national publications. There is also manuscript material pertaining to his Herbert Hoover book. His personal papers include appointment books and certificates. The 1988 addendum primarily consist of newspapers clippings relating to the 63rd through the 67th Iowa General Assemblies.