Charters joined Syracuse in 1948 as assistant to the dean of University College. At the time, University College functioned as a sort of step-child to the university and was geared mainly toward helping military personnel returning from WWII earn college degrees part-time. As the president of numerous national adult and continuing organizations and associations, Charters was instrumental in establishing the Adult and Continuing Education Research Collection. Housed in the George Arent's Research Library at SU's Bird Library, the collection includes the papers of more than fifty individuals and organizations and is considered the largest English-language adult and continuing archives in the world.

Researchers interested in the Alexander N. Charters Papers should mention the collection's Record Group [13] when contacting the Syracuse University Archives. Please note that the collection is housed off-site and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Archives Reading Room in Bird Library.