The papers largely consist of John Everett's professional work in his positions at Hollins College (1950-1960), City University of New York (1960-1962), Encyclopedia Britannica (1962-1964) and The New School (1964-1982).

The collections contains five series. The General series includes correspondence; newspaper clippings about Everett; comments and reports regarding National Book Committee programs; published and unpublished typescripts unconnected to Everett's above-listed positions; and reviews of Everett's book, Religion in Economics (1946).

The second series is connected to Everett's position as chancellor of the Municipal College System of the City of New York in 1960, renamed City University of New York (CUNY) in 1961. Most of the correspondence is with Gustave G. Rosenberg, chairman of the Board of Higher Education and New York City Mayor Robert Wagner regarding administrative, budgeting and development issues. Of special interest may be two statements about a "communist speaker ban." The series also contains speeches and statements concerning the future of education and learning, the democratization of higher education, the role of public education and CUNY in New York, and items connected to committee memberships Everett held as CUNY chancellor.

The Encyclopedia Britannica series contains correspondence from Everett to representatives of various educational organizations and a memo on the role of television in education, "Teaching Machines." It also includes a memo to Sidney Tickton, vice president of the Washington-based Academy for Educational Development, and Herman Wells, chairman of the board of the Education and World Affairs from 1964, about cooperation between private and public universities in the face of the growing demand for publicly-funded higher education. Also included is correspondence with Maurice B. Mitchell, president of Encyclopedia Britannica, and with Harold W. Stokes, president of Queens College, concerning a court trial related to accusations of religious discrimination at CUNY, as well as typescripts of speeches about the role of communications technology in education.

The Hollins College series contains correspondence, including memos about founding a college in Aspen, Colorado and other matters. Two folders contain Hollins College Bulletins, for which Everett regularly wrote the "President's Column"; and offprints of other publications. It also includes reports to alumni, faculty and to the Board of Trustees. The folder titled "Speeches" primarily holds typescripts and notes of Everett's speeches on issues related to small, independent, liberal arts colleges, the future and role of education, and women's education (including a 1951 typescript titled, "Why Educate Women"). The file also contains a typescript of remarks made by Abraham A. Ribicoff. The series ends with typescripts of articles for Hollins Herald, and for the Alumnae Bulletin, as well as other articles for local and national journals and newspapers, and a partial manuscript for a book on religious history. The folders of typescripts also contain reflections on a UNESCO meeting from 1952, where Everett represented the United States.

The New School for Social Research series largely consists of correspondence. A folder of speeches and statements includes a statement from 1967 regarding academic freedom and opposing the closure of the school for a day in protest of the war in Vietnam, and another talk from 1970, about the authority crisis among youth and the breakdown of social institutions. It also contains an invitation to an event at Columbia University honoring Everett and celebrating his ten years as president of The New School.

Of special interest are flyers, statements, and an affidavit regarding the occupation of The New School's Graduate Faculty building, acquired during Everett's presidency. With the permission of the administration, students occupied the building at 65 Fifth Avenue in May 1970 to organize anti-war study groups and discussions. According to Everett's memo, the building was soon occupied by high school students, as well, which raised concerns about public safety. During a negotiation period of about two weeks, the administration and the faculty made several proposals, repeatedly rejected by the student committee, regarding regulation of the student strike and relocation of strike activities to other spaces. A court injunction process ensued, leading to resistance from the strikers. The New York City police emptied the building on May 25. No violence occurred during the voluntary arrest of several students.

Another folder in the New School series includes recommendations regarding a crisis of the Graduate Faculty. By 1979, several factors pushed the Graduate Faculty into crisis, including a decline in the number of students enrolling in graduate schools and a report from the Board of Regents of the New York State Education Department finding serious weaknesses in The New School's political science, sociology and philosophy doctoral programs. Everett recommended eliminating the doctoral programs and, if necessary, the master's level programs, as well, in sociology and political science. After intense negotiations and several years of restructuring, every doctoral program was reapproved by the Board of Regents.