The collection contains a wide variety of printed materials created by or related to Dalhousie University, including convocation programs; university calendars; faculty, staff, and biographies; faculty and school histories; newspaper clippings; and many other materials related to the university. Materials span from the mid 19th century to the early 21st century.

University of the air was a distance learning initiative started by CTV's regional television affiliates, to offer degree-related video courses, taught by University professors around the country. Production of University of the Air started in 1966, and continued until 1983. The University of the Air courses were structured into series, around a central theme, and divided into 5 episodes. This collection comprises four such series which were produced in atlantic Canada, and hosted by Dalhousie University Faculty. Series one is entitled "The Oceans", series two is "The Structure of Sound", series three is "20th Century Latin America: Why Revolution", and series four is "Textiles: Their Development and Effects".