Jim Mearns graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Archaeology from the University of Glasgow in 1982 and also holds a masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Strathclyde. After working in marketing he entered the Scottish Office in 1985 as an Executive Officer. In 1987 he passed the Civil Service Fast Stream examinations and moved to the Department of Transport in London. In 1990 he moved to Strathclyde Regional Council's Roads Department, and in 1996 joined Glasgow City Council as a Senior Policy Development Officer. He later became Advisor to the Lord Provost, 2005-2008, and Business Manager in the Council's Governance Unit, 2008-2013. Since 2013 he has been the Editor of the Scottish Archaeological Journal and the archivist of the Glasgow Archaeological Society. He has published on the history of archaeology and antiquarianism in Scotland.

These papers relate to Jim Mearns's involvement in political campaigning in support of LGBT+ rights and equalities in Scotland during the 1990s, civic events in Glasgow, and cultural pursuits. The collection includes material documenting Mearns's role in the campaigns to repeal Clause 2A [Section 28] of the United Kingdom Local Government Act (1988) as a member of the Unison Glasgow City Branch Lesbian and Gay Self-Organised Group.