Hoeven's papers were transferred to the University is at least three lots, the first in 1965, and each lot was organized and described in a different way. This finding aid, built from parts created earlier, is consequently somewhat complex.

Every item in the first lot (currently boxes 1 to 34) was given an item number. Each item was then name and subject indexed, with the item number serving as the reference point.

A portion of the second donation (boxes 35 to 40), primarily the correspondence, was also item-numbered (continuing the numbers from the end of the first lot at 31149) and again indexed in the previous list. Items in boxes 37 and 38, however, were numbered in a new sequence, beginning again at 1, and a new index created. This separate index is here called the "Addendum Index." The contents of boxes 39 and 40 are only briefly described and not included in either index.

The third lot (sixteen boxes numbered from 41-56) are described only at the folder level. The names of prominent individuals whose letter(s) appear in a folder are noted in a sentence following the date range. The folders typically contain letters from many correspondents whose names do not appear in this finding aid.

In light of this organization, readers wishing to search the collection comprehensively must consult both the main and Addendum indexes and review carefully the folder descriptions for boxes 41-56.

The last series is scrapbooks. Four unnumbered scrapbooks date before Hoeven's election to the House of Representatives while twenty-six scrapbooks, organized by year, document his service in the House. Items in these books -- which include letters from prominent individuals -- are also not noted in the indexes.