The Norman H. Anderson Papers consist of materials generated and assembled by Anderson in the course of his research and teaching career as a Professor of Entomology at Oregon State University. The collection includes article reprints, conference papers, correspondence, curriculum vitae, a doctoral thesis, employment records, flyers, grant proposals, newspaper clippings, research data, reports, and slide presentation scripts. Bound volumes of Anderson's research publications, journal reprints, and presentations at conferences and seminars comprise about half of the collection. These document Anderson's studies of orchard insects, aquatic insects of coniferous forest stream ecosystems, and the insect recolonization of streams in the post-eruption Mt. St. Helens region.

Of particular interest in the Papers are narrative reports of insect collection trips made by Anderson to Mt. St. Helens from 1980 to 1991, following the catastrophic May 18, 1980 eruption. In these descriptive log entries, Anderson details the types of specimens found, the post-eruption landscape, colleagues joining him on these trips, and the process of taking samples for research. The research data primarily pertains to studies at Ape Canyon in the vicinity of Mt. St. Helens. Correspondence included with the data offers a glimpse into the procedures required to gain access from the U.S. Forest Service to the blast zone in order to conduct research.

The collection includes a copy of Richard Meyerhoff's doctoral dissertation, , which is also available online. Biographical information, including a list of Anderson's publications, is included with Entomology Department reviews and accreditation reports that are part of the collection.