Fonds consists primarily of originals and printed materials concerning courses Coughlin taught in the Library School (1952-1979), and her own graduate studies and research (1958-1975). Her teaching materials comprise lecture notes, supplemented by clippings, articles, and bibliographies, for courses on book selection (including class lists, marks (restricted), a student project and examinations), research methods, and library work with children. Material stemming from her graduate studies comprises two papers submitted for her M.A., and two unrevised copies of her D.L.S. thesis on Canadian public library services. Her continuing interest in public libraries in Canada generated a series of research files of notes, photocopies and clippings (1961-1975).