The Mildred H. Lavin papers date from 1942 to 2015 with some undated articles, essays, and photographs. They measure 5 linear inches and are organized in three series: Biographical, Professional, and Audiovisual. In addition to the papers, four books are shelved in the printed works collection of the Iowa Women’s Archives. Their titles are: Tom Tov, Good Taste, Agudas Achim Sisterhood, Francine Prince's New Jewish Cuisine, The Jewish Holiday Kitchen by Joan Nathan, and America and I: Short Stories by American Jewish women writers, edited and with an introduction by Joyce Antler.

The Biographical (1942 – 2015) series contains autobiographical essays by Mildred Lavin. These essays largely relate to Lavin’s childhood as a German immigrant in the United States. This series also includes articles about Lavin and one book about her daughter-in-law’s artwork, Opener: The Paintings of Amelia Alcock-White.

The Professional (1964 – 2006) series contains materials related to Lavin’s work at the University of Iowa and on behalf of women’s rights. The series includes awards and certificates that Lavin received, correspondence with University of Iowa employees, conference brochures and planning documents, a set of brochures for the Saturday and evening classes program, and photographs of Lavin at work.

The Professional series also includes materials about Lavin’s work on behalf of women’s rights. This includes the text of speeches, “Promoting Human Rights – By Promoting Women’s Rights in Schools,” “The American Woman, Higher Education and a Social Revolution,” and an untitled speech delivered to alumni program administrators of Big Ten universities. This series also contains three publications including “Women and Public Policy: A Humanistic Perspective, which Lavin edited along with Clara Oleson and several newspaper articles about women’s issues on campus.

The Audiovisual series consists of 9 audiocassettes including interviews with James Van Allen, Fiona Chisholm and George Forell. This series also contains the 1983 program, “The American Dream in the Heartland,” with a listener’s guide.