The fonds consists of manuscripts of Novotny's research including his thesis and twelve chapters from an unidentified work, lecture notes from classes at Champlain College, and a small amount of correspondence.

The compilation on academic robes by McNairn has eight chapters: Academic Finery; The Code for British Hoods; Oxford Robes; Cambridge Robes for Doctors and Graduates (a pamphlet by A. G. Almond); Robes In Other Universities; Cap and Gown in America (a pamphlet by Gardner Cotrell Leonard published in 1896); American System of Academic Robes; College Colours, an article by McNairn published in the University of Toronto Varsity, 19 November 1901.