Administrative series includes all materials related to the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Department of Social Work (SASW) and information about Fulbright in Germany, as well as student research kept by Pat.

Biographical series contains various biographical information, including photographs of Pat O'Brien and Donna Roper and copies of Pat's CV and obituary. Contents also include miscellaneous newspaper articles and correspondence that are not associated with a dedicated project or research area, award nominations, and society/commission materials. Other materials include a collection of conference booklets and abstracts from the American Indian Workshop, Flint Hills Conference, and Plains Anthropological Conference (1969-2002).

Research & Correspondence series includes unpublished materials related to various time periods and research interests. Also included are oversized illustrations, maps, and floor plans related to Cahokia, Steed-Kisker, and Mesoamerica used in publications. Research areas include Mississippian Culture, Prehistoric Native Americans of the Great Plains, Pawnee & Wichita tribes, Mesoamerica, Local History (Manhattan and surrounding communities, and other hobby topics that are non-archaeological.

Photographs & Slides includes the majority of photographic material within the collection. Some items have corresponding information or research notes within other series pertaining to the research topic.