The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) records

Collection — Box: 1-12

Identifier: 2018.tasp

Staff Only

The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) records are a collection of documentation from the Association for the Anthropological Study of Play (TAASP, 1973-1986) and the Association for the Study of Play (TASP, 1987-present). Materials in this collection include correspondence, memos, notes, minutes, membership forms, brochures, programs, financial records, publications, and reference. Within the Conferences series are also audiocassettes of recordings from various TASP conferences. Additional scope and content information can be found under the Contents List section of this finding aid.

The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) records have been arranged into six series, one of which has been further divided into subseries. The materials are housed in 12 archival document boxes and one oversized folder.

Dates

1958 - 2018
Majority of material found within 1995 - 2004

Creator

Association for the Study of Play (Organization)

Language

The majority of this collection is in English, though there are some instances of German and French.

Conditions Governing Access

Audio and video files are for on-site use only at this time; staff may require advance notice to acclimate cassette tapes and test on a cassette player prior to researcher use.

Conditions Governing Use

This collection is open for research use by staff of The Strong and by users of its library and archives. Though the donor has not transferred intellectual property rights (including, but not limited to any copyright, trademark, and associated rights therein) to The Strong, they have given permission for The Strong to make copies in all media for museum, educational, and research purposes.

Extent

6 Linear Feet (12 boxes, 1 oversized folder)

Additional Description

Abstract

The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) records are a compilation of membership information, conference details, publications, reference, and other documentation from the organization. The bulk of the records are dated between 1995 and 2004.

Historical Note

The professional organization now known as The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) was originally founded as The Association for the Anthropological Study of Play (TAASP) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1973 by Alyce T. Cheska and a group of scholars interested in play studies and research.

TASP is a multidisciplinary organization whose purposes are to promote the study of play, support and cooperate with other organizations having similar purposes, and organize meetings and publications that facilitate the sharing and dissemination of information related to the study of play. Its broad focus includes many disciplines and scholarly interests. TASP holds an annual conference for its members and publishes the ongoing Play & Culture Studies book series.

System of Arrangement

Series I: History, 1997-2011

Series II: Membership, 1985-2005

Series III: Conferences, 1979-2018

Series IV: Finances, 1996-2005

Series V: Publications, 1977-2009

Subseries A: Member newsletters, 1977-2009

Subseries B: Scholarly journals and book series, 1988-2005

Series VI: Reference, 1978-2007

Custodial History

The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) records were donated to The Strong in June 2011 and July 2017 as a gift from TASP and Alice Meckley, respectively. The original deposit of TASP records arrived at the museum in 2011 under an agreement between TASP and The Strong. The second donation of papers from Meckley were accessioned by The Strong under Object ID 117.5182. The papers were received from TASP in six boxes and Meckley in two boxes. Library staff determined that these two donations should be processed as one comprehensive collection.

Related Materials

The Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play at The Strong houses the personal library and papers of Brian Sutton-Smith, a former TASP President and committed TASP member. Among the books and serials belonging to Sutton-Smith were multiple copies of TASP publications, such as the Play & Culture journal and the Play & Culture Studies book series; many of these were annotated by Sutton-Smith.

Also in the archives are the professional papers of Linda A. Hughes, another play scholar and past TASP President.

Processed by

Julia Novakovic, October 2018

Subjects

Record Groups

- List 01. Archival Collections Related to the Study of Play

Related Names

Creator

Association for the Study of Play (Organization)
Association for the Anthropological Study of Play (Organization)
Meckley, Alice (Person)

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title: Finding Aid to The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) Records, 1958-2018
Status: completed
Author: Julia Novakovic
Date: 17 October 2018
Description rules: dacs