The collection is divided into three series: L.A. WOMEN'S LIBERATION CENTER, NOW, and FEW.

The collection was donated by Barbara Smith, a local activist in the women's movement in the 1970s. She was very active in the L.A. Women's Liberation Center (also known as the Los Angeles Women's Center) where she played a key role in organizing the Liberation School. Later she was active in the Los Angeles chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) and with Federally Employed Women (FEW).

Copyright has not been assigned to the Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research. Researchers may make single copies of any portion of the collection, but publication from the collection will be allowed only with the express written permission of the Library's director. It is not necessary to obtain written permission to quote from a collection. When the Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research gives permission for publication, it is as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

The collection is available for research only at the Library's facility in Los Angeles.  The Library is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Researchers are encouraged to call or email the Library indicating the nature of their research query prior to making a visit.