Described is a collection of search-related references authored from a set of search results, in which the collection may be persisted. Search results may be obtained via a federated search of multiple data sources (e.g., local files, the Internet, a corporate network/database). Search results may be presented as individual reference items or grouped into dynamic collection query reference sets, which may be added to the collection. A collection may also embed one or more other collections. Upon opening a collection, search results may be automatically updated by re-running any dynamic collection queries. The user authors the collection by selecting items from a search results interface and dropping or pasting the item reference into a collection interface, and/or by activating an item collection affordance associated with the item. Manual or automatic layout of collection item references is provided, such as to provide a tabular layout or a two-dimensional layout.