The John H. Mercer Papers contain materials related to Mercer's research as a glaciologist with the Institute of Polar Studies from 1960-1987, such as aerial photographs, 16mm films, 35mm slides, field notebooks, correspondence, grant proposals, data reports, maps, published and unpublished articles, and other administrative materials. The collection also contains reference materials, including published works by other authors, and Mercer's official reviews and personal notes on the works of other researchers. There are also some personal materials, including photographic slides, in the collection. The materials date from 1912-1987, with the bulk dating from 1960-1987.