The Jean Shoots papers date from 1990 to 1998 and measure 1 linear inch. The papers also include some undated material. The collection consists primarily of photocopied items and audiovisual material. The collection includes three videocassettes. The first features Shoots reading two of her stories, "Dogs and Cats "and "Cousins" on a 1996 episode of the Iowa City public cable-access program, Open Channel. The second is Shoots' presentation of a 1998 excerpt from her public-access cable television show Letters to My Sister. A copy of the introduction of Shoots at this program, which was a Black History Month event at the Iowa City Johnson County Senior Center, is also included in the collection. The third video is an undated recording of Letters to My Sister. The papers also contain newspaper clippings, a biographical sketch about Shoots, a photograph of Shoots accepting the Governor's volunteer award from Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, and the award itself. Other contents include five of Shoots's short stories, correspondence, and an introduction of Shoots, who introduced University of Iowa law professor Adrien Wing at a 1997 lecture.