The Malcolm Goldstein Papers include scores, documentation of performances, writing, correspondence, publicity, administrative records, audio, video, and data storage. The materials document Goldstein's role as a composer, musician, curator, writer and educator. The collection is arranged into nine series:

Series I: Music Projects comprises scores and documentation of performances. In addition to scores created by Goldstein there are several pieces made by other composers. Notebooks contain drafts of various works in progress.

Series II: Writing comprises unpublished article drafts, interviews, published works, and correspondence. Correspondence is mostly from others with Malcolm Goldstein as the recipient with a few exceptions.

Series III: Publicity is comprised of reviews, photographs, and ephemera documenting performances and commercial releases.

Series IV: Administrative comprises administrative materials reflecting Goldstein's organization of concerts, contracts, grants, music production, and teaching materials.

Series V: Commercially Released Media comprises audio, video, and vinyl sound discs in which Malcolm Goldstein is either the main musician or is featured as a collaborator on the recording.

Series VI: Non-commercially Released Audio comprises audiocassetes and sound discs documenting performances and interviews.

Series VII: Non-commercially Released Video comprises VHS and DVD elements primarily documenting performances.

Series VIII: Data Storage comprises floppy discs and CD-Rs storing visual documentation of performances.

Series IX: Malcolm Goldstein's Notes on the Collection comprises Goldstein's lists and inventories of the collection as it was delivered to the Fales Library and Special Collections.

A 2018 accretion contains Goldstein's writings on the music of Charles E. Ives, specifically a 2016 booklet Charles Ives -- String Quartet No. 2 -- Critical Edition which includes the booklet, as well as supporting work files with edited drafts, letters, notated scores, 1946 sound recordings of the piece, and reviewer notes. Concert programs and reviews of his performances from 2014 to 2016 and Goldstein interview transcripts and articles from 2016-2017 is also in this accretion. Material on Goldstein projects include 1992 Die Moltkerei Gallery original material and descriptions of his Moroccan Project from 2009. Updated copies of existing pieces in the collection as well as more recent works and performance notes for Wandering Still, This Full Breath/Gesture Sounding, and If Not Now, When? can also be found in this collection, dating from 2017 to 2018.