The fonds consists of 357 file folders of Mel Bartley’s personal files. The files range from mining reports, publications, and claims. There is also an index for the reports, and a mining publications index.

The entire fonds is arranged alphabetically, as one series.

Photographic slides of various archaeological digs from around the world and in Northwestern Ontario. Slides of various forestry field studies in several regions from 1952-1995. Includes images of trees, equipment, erosion, fire damage, forest management audits, land use, geology, and genetics and tree improvement.

Primarily copies of the Northwestern Ontario Prospectors' Association (NWOPA) newsletter, Bearsh't & Blueberries, 1997-2004. Also assorted issues of the Ontario Prospectors' Association (OPA) newsletter, The Explorationist, and a small quantity of other documents related to NWOPA and OPA.