The collection largely retains Cooper's original order, though a few changes have been made for clarity, and an assortment of unfiled materials have either been incorporated into existing files or added as new files. Among these previously unsorted materials are most of the collection's photographs and negatives. The collection is divided into two series:

Series I. Subject Files, 1925-1971. Cooper's subject files contain materials relating to the consulting work he performed for various businesses, industries, and local governments; his activities with various professional organizations; and both his instructional and administrative duties as head of Virginia Tech's Department of Geological Sciences. Included are correspondence and memoranda, drafts of research papers, research data and notes; preparatory materials for tours, talks, and publications; maps; printed materials; and photographs. Also included is a single folder relating to Cooper's personal life. The series is arranged alphabetically by subject. In cases in which a folder contains only a titled article or speech text, the file title has been placed in quotation marks.

Series II. Photographs and Negatives, 1953-ca. 1970. The items within this series were among materials in Cooper's papers that had remained largely unsorted and unfiled. The series consists largely of images of geological samples and sites, though it also includes photos of students, facilities, and general scenery. Also included are two short, unidentified 16mm films. The series is arranged alphabetically by subject, with a folder of miscellaneous images near the end.