This collection contains personal papers as well as materials related to the career of the librarian, professor, and bibliographer Paul Kruse.

Aspects of Kruse's career represented in the collection include his role establishing the library for the United Nations Conference held in San Francisco, California, in 1945; his work in Tehran, Iran, and Colombo, Sri Lanka and part of Fulbright grants; his work as a bibliographer for the Encyclopedia Britannica; his inclusion in Who's Who in America; and his academic work as a professor of Library Science at North Texas State University (NTSU) and elsewhere.

Materials related to the UN conference include copies of the UN charter, correspondence, clippings regarding the conference and Kruse's role in establishing the library there, and programs, ticket stubbs, and other print memorabilia from entertainment activities Kruse participated in during the conference. Many items relate to Alger Hiss, including a certificate signed by Hiss, copies of excerpts from Hiss's memoir, clippings, and photos of Hiss. There is also a great deal of material, including photographs, brochures, and other printed material from the 50th anniversary event of the United Nations Conference referred to as UN50.

Many photographs in the collection depict Kruse's time in Iran and Sri Lanka. Also included is correspondence related to his Fulbright grants, the authorization of his grant to work in Iran, a report he wrote on the state of Vidyodaya University in Sri Lanka, clippings, and other materials.

Inlcluded regarding his work as a bibliographer is an article from Library Quarterly written by Kruse entitled “Privacy and the Britannica: unauthorized reprintings of the ninth edition,” the certificate to claim copyright for his 1958 dissertation about the Encyclopedia Britannica, and two telegrams regarding bibliographic entries for the Encyclopedia Britannica.

The certificates commemorating Kruse's inclusion in Who's Who in America are also included as are a professional photograph portrait of Kruse and photographs taken at his retirement from NTSU one of which is signed by NTSU President C.C. Nolen.

From his tenure as a professor at NTSU, two book reviews written by Kruse are also included. The reviews were for the books Unknown but Known: My Adventure into the Meditative Dimension by Arthur Ford and The United Nations Library: Its Origins and Development by Doris Cruger Dale.

Personal items in the collection include correspondence, photographs, and print memorabilia. Kruse's correspondence includes letters written to authors Kruse admired. Notably, Kruse wrote to Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone with the Wind, who responded to his letters. Kruse also corresponded with Admiral Richard E. Byrd, author of Alone, a memoir about an expedition to Antarctica, and Charles E. Bennet, U.S. Congressional Representative from Florida. Also included with Kruse's correspondence are Thank You notes from his students at Peabody Library College and a form for a Book-A-Year club from Rollins College signed by silent film star Mary Pickford.

Kruse's involvement with the Denton Community Theater is also represented. Included are a signed playbill from a performance as well as photographs and clippings depicting Kruse's participation in the local theater group.

Other notable items from Kruse's personal papers include a music program for a performance in Nashville, Tennessee, signed by conductor Nicolas Slominsky and headshots of cabaret singer Nan Blakstone which are among Kruse's other photographs.