Central Files is composed chiefly of correspondence sent and received between Columbia University administrators and other University officers, faculty, and trustees, as well as correspondence sent and received between University administrators and individuals and organizations from outside the university.

This is an artificial collection of medals and pins presented to Columbia University students, faculty, staff, and alumni over the years.

An artificial collection of phonograph records, reels of audio tape recordings, and motion picture films recording a variety of Columbia University academic and extra-curricular activities and events such as lectures; speeches, some at award ceremonies; commencement; installation of Nicholas M. Butler and Dwight D. Eisenhower as presidents of the university; King George VI of England during his visit, 1939; speech of England's Queen Mother, Elizabeth in 1954; homecoming; football, the band; academic and alumni conferences; and radio programs under the auspices of Columbia. Many of the recordings are of Eisenhower. Other prominent personalities include John Foster Dulles, Herbert Hoover, Isidor Rabi, Eleanor Roosevelt, John R. Dunning, and the Shah of Iran.

This is an artificial collection of diplomas and certificates awarded to people associated with Columbia University from its founding as Kings College in 1754. Some diplomas found in this collection were awarded to Columbia-related individuals by other institutions. Also includes certificates presented to individuals and to the University as an institution, usually for honorary purposes. Correspondence directly related to some of these honors can also be found in this collection.

Manuscripts of essays and course notes taken while a student at Amherst College, 1884-1889, and at Berlin University, 1892-1894. Articles, addresses, essays, lectures, lecture notes and reading notes. Also included are diaries for the years 1936-1940 and correspondence concerning Amherst College, Columbia University, and Woodbridge's stay as a visiting scholar in Berlin, 1931-1932. Among his correspondents are: Frederick S. Allis, Secretary of the Amherst Board of Trustees; Stanley King, President of Amherst; and Nicholas Murray Butler, President of Columbia. Some photographs are also included.

The materials that comprise the Historical Biographical Files have been collected and added to from a variety of sources over the years by current and previous staff. The files consist of materials related to people who have a connection to the University whether as student, alumni, administrator, faculty, staff, guest lecturer, or honorary degree recipient. Materials generally consist of newspaper and magazine clippings, press releases, programs, ephemera, printed matter, lists, reports, and pamphlets.

The Historical Photo Collection contains images of persons, events, and activities associated with Columbia College (1754-1896) and Columbia University (1896-).

The correspondence, research, and teaching files of French-American cultural historian and Columbia University professor emeritus Jacques Barzun (1907-2012).

Collection of black and white photographs depicting campus activities, individuals, and student life taken by John K. Mladinov, an undergraduate student enrolled at Columbia University between 1939 and 1942.

This collection contains photocopies of the Columbia College, and later Columbia University, President's annual reports from 1865-1881 and 1887-1948. The reports include fact and figures (enrollment, degrees conferred, tuition, expenses, gifts, etc.) and topical discussions (co-education, new degree programs, higher education and liberal arts education, current events, etc.).