The collection is arranged in the following series:

Series I. Air Force, 1953-1973. This series contains Collins' individual flight record (including his later NASA flights) and an accident report for the crash of an F-86 fighter jet piloted by him. The series also consists of a number of test pilot manuals from the USAF Flight Test Center and reports written by Collins while at the Experimental Flight Test Pilot School. Additionally, there are a few items relating to survival training and an Aerospace Research Pilot School publication with sketches and photographs of ARPS and Experimental Test Pilot School graduates. The series is arranged chronologically.

Series II. Project Gemini, 1962-1967. The Project Gemini Series contains a number of preparatory materials which has instruction manuals, class materials and Collins' own notes on astronomy, geology and the Gemini spacecraft. From the Gemini 10 flight, the series consists of an audio recording of the liftoff, transcripts of voice communications and mission commentaries, and photographs. The series also comprises official post-mission reports and two Gemini 10 newsclipping scrapbooks. The series is arranged in subseries by material type.

Series III. Project Apollo, 1966-2004. Like the Project Gemini series, this series contains Collins' preparatory notes. Additionally, it includes transcripts of mission commentary, flight communications, and press feeds during post-flight recovery of the command module. The series has a number of audio recordings, which range from a pre-flight press conference to television coverage of the mission, and post-mission public appearances by the crew. Print media coverage of the mission may be found in a set of NASA Current News publications and other printed materials. The series consists of approximately 200 mission photographs and a number of commemorative materials. (Among the more unusual items are a collection of songs and poems inspired by Apollo 11 and a book of congratulatory letters from French civic leaders.) Post-mission materials comprises files devoted to five- and ten-year anniversary observances of the moon landing and audio recordings relating to the Apollo program and missions 12 and 13. The series is arranged in subseries by material type. Within subseries, materials are in chronological order wherever possible.

Series IV. Assistant Secretary of State, 1969-1971. Collins' brief career with the U. S. State Department is chronicled here through notes, correspondence (including letters from President Nixon), audio recordings and printed materials. The series is arranged by item format, then chronologically.

Series V. National Air and Space Museum, 1971-1979. This series comprises materials relating to Collins' directorship of NASM - particularly to the museum's design, groundbreaking and opening. The collection also consists of newsclippings devoted to museum exhibits and Collins as director. Audio recordings of events commemorating Collins' farewell complete the series. Arranged by form of item, then chronologically.

Series VI. Boards and Clubs, 1973-1989. This series, largely devoted to the many advisory and editorial boards on which Collins served throughout the 1970s and 1980s, includes correspondence, notes, printed materials and photographs. There are a few folders on clubs to which Collins belonged. The series is arranged alphabetically by organization name.

Series VII. Writings, 1908-2004. This series comprises materials relating to the writing and publication of Collins' books Carrying the Fire, Flying to the Moon and Other Strange Places, and Liftoff! and includes background materials, typescripts, galley proofs, reviews and publicity. (The files for Carrying the Fire also have correspondence with Charles Lindbergh about his foreword to the book.) A number of Collins' articles, book reviews and opinion / editorial pieces are contained here as well. The series is arranged in subseries by publication type (book, magazine article, book review, etc.), then chronologically within each subseries.

Series VIII. Speeches, 1970-1996. Collins' many public addresses throughout the 1970s and 1980s are represented here with background materials, speech texts, printed materials and photographs. The series is arranged chronologically by date of speech.

Series IX. Personal Correspondence, 1963-1973. This small series comprises correspondence which did not fit neatly into those series devoted to specific aspects of Collins' career. It has a number of letters relating to NASA and the Apollo program. (Most noteworthy are letters from "Buzz" Aldrin, Charles Lindbergh and Lyndon B. Johnson.) The series is arranged chronologically.

Series X. Biographical Materials, 1966-2003. Like the personal correspondence series, this series was created from materials not associated with any specific aspect of Collins' public career. The series consists of a few printed materials with interviews or biographical sketches of Collins and several photographs. The series is arranged in subsidies by material type.

Series XI. Honors and Memorabilia, 1961-1989. This series contains awards honoring Collins and his work the form of certificates, medals, and plaques from the United States, individual states, foreign countries, military organizations, and private corporations. The series also has just a few items of memorabilia, among which are a piece of fabric from the Kitty Hawk "Wright Flyer," Collins' pilot clipboard, a Gemini sunscreen plate, a short film of Collins family scenes and commemorative items from NASA's Apollo and Voyager missions. The series is arranged in subsidies by material type. Within subseries, materials are in chronological order wherever possible.