The Maggie Tinsman papers date from 1971-2015 and measure 39.3 linear feet in 98 boxes. The papers are arranged in seven series: Biographical Information, Scott County Board of Supervisors, Organizations of County Officials, Organizational Involvement, Iowa General Assembly, Commission on the Aging, and Artifacts. The collection focuses on the activities of a regional woman politician of the late twentieth century and her interest in social welfare. Much of the collection consists of topical files relating to Tinsman's career as a Scott County Supervisor, as well as a large selection of Senate and House Files including correspondence from when Tinsman was a State Senator and organizational information from her nonprofit Braking Traffik.

The Biographical information (1971-2006) series consists of awards, resumes, newspaper clippings, political campaign brochures, photographs, and personal letters of recommendation.

The Scott County Board of Supervisors (1978-1993) series consists primarily of topical files relating to Maggie Tinsman's position as County Supervisor. Also included in this series are several plans and reports produced and/or used by the Scott County Board of Supervisors. Items acquired in the 2007 accession include the minutes and correspondence of the Committee of the Whole.

The Organizations of County Officials (1977-1988) series consists of three subseries: the Iowa Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (Iowa ACIR), the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC), and the National Association of Counties (NACO). The Iowa ACIR subseries is made up of topical files and reports issued by Iowa ACIR. The ISAC subseries include chronological files, topical files, Board of Directors' agendas, and manuals created by ISAC. The NACO subseries includes chronological files, general information on the organization, and a series of printed works entitled Local Elected Officials Handbook Series. This subseries also includes the records of Women Officials in the National Association of Counties (WON). The WON materials consist of chronological files, general information, and newsletters.

The Organizational Involvement series (1970-2015) is composed of materials from a variety of political and community organizations that Tinsman was affiliated with outside of her official positions, such as the Women in Government roundtable, National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL), Republican Party and National Convention, and NCSL’s Women’s Network. The series consists of three subseries: the Episcopal Church of Iowa Standing Committee, Goodwill Industries of Southeast Iowa, and Human Trafficking. The Episcopal Church and Goodwill Industries subseries primarily contain records and correspondence. Materials also include conference agendas and pamphlets, among other organizational information. Tinsman worked with human trafficking advocacy groups during and after her time as a state senator, drafting various bills in the general assembly that proposed harsher punishments for people convicted of human trafficking as well as more funding for law enforcement. The Human Trafficking subseries covers her role as the founder and Chair of Braking Traffik, an organization dedicated to the eradication of sex trafficking in the Midwest. The subseries is kept in original order.

The Iowa General Assembly (1990-2011) series consists of five subseries: Topical Files, Advisory Groups & Task Forces, Boards & Committees, Bills & Amendments, Conferences & Meetings, and Correspondence. The series also contains the Iowa Legislature Survey, a 1990 survey sent out by State Senator Maggie Tinsman in February 1990. The ten-question survey was designed to elicit residents' feeling on many budget-related issues. The Topical Files cover a range of topics, including information on redistricting in Iowa and the State Children Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Correspondence, minutes, records, and notes of the Advisory Groups & Task Forces, Boards & Committees, and Conferences & Meetings subseries are also included. The Bills and Amendments subseries contains copies of Senate Files and House Files that Tinsman voted on as a member of the General Assembly. They are arranged numerically. This subseries consists of a portion of amendments Tinsman personally wrote and sponsored as well as a selection of bills put through the assembly when she was the floor manager as well as annual summaries of Senate Files and bills. This subseries also incorporates general assembly special sessions and Tinsman’s voting record. The Correspondence sub-series is made up of letters between then State Senator Tinsman and colleagues, lobbyists, and constituents. This subseries is broken down chronologically, alphabetically, and topically, maintaining original order.

The Commission on the Aging (1981-1984) series contains Commission records from that period.

The Artifacts series includes four items: a political campaign pin which reads, "Maggie Tinsman Republican," a plaque, a file box lid with “Senator Tinsman” written decoratively in marker, and a poster which reads "Elect Maggie Tinsman Iowa Senate." The poster is housed in the map case, the plaque is kept in the plaque case, and the lid is held in the oversized flat files.

Maggie Tinsman's thesis for her Master of Arts degree in social work from the University of Iowa is entitled, The Changing Role of the Middle Class Volunteer. It has been separately catalogued and is shelved in the Iowa Women's Archives printed works collection.