The Edward Lense Papers contain typed drafts of Lense’s poetry, as well as his notes, revisions, published versions in issues of literary publications and newspaper clippings, and digital versions on floppy disks, compact discs, and flash drives. Correspondence about collaborative works with others, grant and writer’s workshop applications, and publication agreements for Lense's poetry are also included, as well as prints, negatives, proof sheets, digital files, and slides of his photography. Lense's papers are also comprised of materials related to his teaching work at the Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD), including correspondence, his curriculum vitae, faculty and staff directories, his teaching excellence award, collaborative works with other faculty, literary publications where he served as a faculty advisor, and letters of recommendation from colleagues for dean positions Lense applied for. Materials related to Lense's academic career can also be found in this collection, including papers and his thesis from his PhD program at Ohio State University, his academic transcripts, and diplomas from New York University and Ohio State University. Additionally, source materials related to themes of Lense’s poetry, including newspaper clippings, photocopies of publications, and Tarot cards, are included in his papers. The collection also contains Lense's ordination certificate from the Catholic Church, and programs for church services in which his poetry was printed. Materials in the collection date from 1963 to 2014.