The Exhibition Files includes three folders. The materials in these folders focus on the use of Life photographs in exhibits. These exhibits are not curated by or created by Time Inc. or any of its subsidiaries. Included in this subseries are check requisition forms, clippings, expense reports, list of images to be used in exhibits, notes on exhibit attendance and publicity, pamphlets, photographs, and correspondence. The correspondence included in this subseries was mostly sent to or from Ruth Fowler who was Life assistant publisher and letters department manager from 1960 to 1972. The correspondence discusses photos on loan, the use of paintings and transparencies, licensing for exhibit, and the insurance for photos and paintings. Because of the limited nature of this subseries, it is unclear if these folders were part of Fowler's personal files or belong to some other group of records within the publisher's office.

The Photograph Rights and Reproductions Files contain materials from 1969 to 1970 and focus on the use and reproduction of photographs and images that Life had the rights to. The majority of materials in this subseries are correspondence but there are also routing forms, invoices, photo lab forms, clippings, and photos. The correspondence was mainly sent to and from Vassillia Moore and Ruth Fowler. Moore appears to have worked in the publisher's office, based on documents within the subseries, but it is unclear what position she held and she is not included in any departments heads lists. Fowler was Life assistant publisher and letters department manager from 1960 to 1972. The Correspondence generally contain requests for the use of images, photos, and transparencies as well as requests for reproductions of those materials.

Includes reprint and reproduction requests from outside sources. The files come primarily from Joan Mueller. Folders in box 3317 are sealed due to mold issues.

Business Manager Nancy Phillips's files document the organization of the Life business department as well as the finances of Life during her tenure. The materials that date earlier than 1987 likely were sent to Phillips as references to assist her with her work. Included in her files are budgets, circulation reports, financial statements and reports, lists of staff and responsibilities, organizational charts, quarterly financial analysis presentations, sales presentations, strategic plans, and correspondence. The correspondence included with this subseries discusses advertising rates, taxes, revenue, budgets, financial reports, and staffing. She also has memoranda and reports on the finances of Life Picture Sales sent by Time-Life Syndication within Editorial Services.

Her files also include some folders from when she worked at People and some records from Discover which may be for comparative purposes.

The Business Manager Office files covers the period of 1969 to 1979 and includes materials from a variety of Life Business Department staff. The names that appear most often are Winston Cox, George Dowling, Bob Cowin, Mary Davis, and Priscilla Riccardi. Included in this series are reports on the average circulation of magazines, notes, budget reports, sales analysis reports, reports on newsstand revenue, clippings, ad rate cards, press releases, lists of Life staff, and correspondence. The correspondence in this subseries discusses circulation statistics, subscription rates, budgets, and ad sales and revenue.

The Business Manager Agreement and Licensing files cover the period of 1971 to 2000 and focuses on agreements concerning joint projects between Life and outside organizations as well as on licensing agreements. These licensing agreements usually concerned the use or reprinting of an image or photographs either by Life or another organization. Included in this subseries are Life sales reports, contracts, notes on sales report, clippings, reports on costs of production, cd roms, contact lists, lists of back issue dealers, photographs, promotional materials, lists of photographer and rights, tax forms, trademark guidelines, lists of agreements, and correspondence. The correspondences discusses the Life century book, purchase orders, permission for the use of photographs, photographer policy statements, and reprinting pictures.

The Financial Statement subseries covers the period of 1937 to 1970. Included in this series are financial statements, budget reports, budget forecasts, budget estimates, mechanical budgets, and operating statements. While the materials are grouped together, it is unclear which office they originated from since there are a variety of names listed on the documents. Some items indicate that the reports were for the business office but do not indicate a specific office of origin or owner.

The General Files includes financial material about Life removed from two binders.

The General Files contains records on a presentation used to sell advertising for a special edition of Life called Life Beach Party.

The majority of these records were binders of rate cards identified as belonging to Paul Hadhazy. The remainder were loose materials found with the binders. The Policy binder contains guidelines and descriptions of the marketing services operations, space renewal credit program, discount structures, tie-in program, and standby space.

The Life Advertiser Record Cards are on microfilm. The dates refer to the original material and not the creation of the microfilm. The domestic advertisers are on fourteen reels and list ads from the original American edition. The international advertisers are on four reels and list ads from international editions. Each record card contains the date of issue for the advertisement, size of ad, if it is in black-and-white or color, and the cost.

Includes a mix of files from several Life circulation directors: John Watters, William Conway, Robert Moore, and Bruce Barnet.

Bruce Barnet's files document his short term as Life Circulation Director during the final months of publication and after publication was suspended. His files include some materials from earlier years that may have been used by him as reference. His records document some evaluation of the financial issues of Life and the slowness of subscription refunds and subscription transfers including a lawsuit regarding these problems.