Fonds consists of the following series: Correspondence, 1947-1995; Autobiography manuscripts, 1948-1995; Photographs, 1948-1980; Writing, 1940-1996; Subject files; Newspaper subject files; Newspaper reprints; Newspapers, 1958-1978; Scrapbook of B.C. provincial campaign, 1975; Recording of meeting with Andy Bigg and staff of Cowichan Pictorial regarding joining Union, 1973. The Newspapers include: a complete set of the Western Advocate, 1958-1959, and a complete set of front covers of the Cowichan Pictorial, 1966-1978.

Fonds consists of 6 series: correspondence, 1961-1987, primarily Earle Birney; literary manuscripts, ca. 1954-1957, including fiction and plays; research, ca. 1962-1987; printed materials, ca. 1954-1988, primarily journal offprints and copies; indices, ca. 1962-1987. The indices consist of research card groups including: animals; slang dictionaries; women in medieval medicine; medieval medical books; symbolism; The Canterbury Tales, and miscellaneous subjects.

The fonds consists of correspondence; manuscripts of plays, short stories, novels and poetry; newspaper articles; essays in German and English; plus photographs and negatives.

The collection consists of Johnston's second typescript draft (as finally rejected) of "Shadowdance", later called "The Old Lady Says No!", with holograph corrections by W.B. Yeats and others. Also included are photocopies of several early drafts of this play, including the aforementioned. In addition, there is the author's proof copy, with corrections, of "The Brazen Horn, Lenaea 5" (1968) [probably for 2nd ed. 1969, amended to Lenaea 6]. The collection also consists of correspondence from Denis and Betty Johnston to Bill and Mary Harbold from 1973-1982; a signed photograph of Johnston; photocopies of book reviews and book chapters re Johnston; a copy of Nine Rivers from Jordan with final corrections; and a copy of the libretto of Nine Rivers from Jordan.