The original order of the drawers and files of the cabinets has been retained in order to preserve Alasdair Gray's original filing system. As the original arrangement has been preserved, some files have odd, occasionally incongruous contents, and some papers and letters appear to have been misfiled, meaning contents relating to specific persons or themes may be found across multiple files or drawers.

The cabinets were not originally numbered and have only been numbered here as 'Cabinet 1' and 'Cabinet 2' for the sake of clarity.

Hanging files, where they carry labelling of Alasdair Gray, have been retained alongside their contents. Other folders, binders and plastic pockets with original labelling have been retained separately at Acc.14602/431. The original drawer labels have been removed and retained, also at Acc.14602/431.