The papers are dated from the period of Anderson's directorship of the Lab and concern the Lab directly. Included are personal and administrative correspondence, and papers related to the relationship between the Lab and the U.S. Geological Survey. Supplement 1 file on visit of Chinese delegation, May 1974, interfiled with admin. correspondence. It should be noted that the collection does not form a complete record, as there are notable gaps, for example, in Anderson's own series of memos and general administrative correspondence.

A major supplement in 2007 which comprises the bulk of his personal papers. Includes correspondence, working papers, books, manuscripts, reports, preprints, and other material.