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ACLP Archives

The ACLP Archives Committee maintains a collection of documents, publications, photos, video footage and other materials related to the history of ACLP and the child life profession. The materials in the ACLP Archives collection are useful in providing a historical perspective on the development and growth of the child life profession, from its earliest inception as a series of “play programs,” to the independent and fully recognized profession that it is today. 

Thanks to the generous support of Utica College, the ACLP Archives has been housed at the Frank E. Gannett Library in Utica, New York since 2001. The college was awarded the ACLP Spirit of Giving Award in 2009, in appreciation for the institution's ongoing support in preserving our history.
 
ACLP Archvies Photo

Accessing the ACLP Archives

If you are interested in learning more about the materials housed in the Archives, download and review the ACLP Archives Finding Aid  for a list of all items currently catalogued in the library. To request access to a digital copy of one or more items from the Finding Aid, please follow these steps:

  1. Select the item(s) from the Finding Aid that you wish to review.
  2. Visit the Utica College Library Web page
  3. Choose the first option: Ask a UC Librarian your question.
  4. Fill out your contact information. State your question by typing in name of the collection (Child Life Council Archives), the folder, and the item in the folder you wish to review.
  5. A Utica College librarian will respond to your inquiry.
Please keep in mind that some items (such as DVDs) may not be available to send via email or postal service at this time. 

You may also choose to visit the Frank E. Gannett Library at Utica College in Utica, NY. To do so, please use the Ask a UC Librarian form to schedule your visit.

Donating to the ACLP Archives

The ACLP Archives welcomes donations of historical documents pertaining to the development of the child life profession and ACLP as an organization. Materials may include reference books, personal letters, work papers, program files, videos, or even health care play equipment.

Is my material a good fit for the ACLP Archives?

To determine if your historical material is a good fit for the ACLP Archives, ask the following questions:

  1. Check the Archives Finding Aid (link) for ideas on which materials are the best fit for archival or to check for replication of item(s).
  2. Be sure to assess your items for its relevance and value to the archives, focusing on primary materials surrounding the history of the profession or the Association.
  3. Review your materials to see if sending a digital copy is possible. This may save you mailing costs and may make your donation more accessible to researchers.

How to submit materials to the ACLP Archives:

  1. Fill out the ACLP Archives Donation Form.
  2. Send an email to archives@childlife.org to begin the donation process. In that email include the following things:
    1. Completed Donation Form
    2. List of items for donation (please identify/title pictures, documents, letters)
  3. After speaking with a member of the Archives Committee, you may then be asked to mail in your donated materials.
Thank you so much for helping to preserve the rich legacy of the child life profession and ACLP

ACLP Archives is Seeking Program Histories

As part of its ongoing mission to preserve the history and legacy of the child life profession, the ACLP Archives Committee is collecting clinical program and academic histories, and your story is needed! This is an opportunity to share significant milestones about your program from its very beginning, and contribute to the ongoing documentation of the history of the child life profession. Your story will provide valuable information for future generations to better understand historical trends and the growth of the profession.

To get a better sense of what sort of information to include, please refer to the tips below. If you have any questions, please contact archives@childlife.org.
 
Tips on Developing a Program History
a. Identify your staff historian.
b. Interview staff who have been with your institution for many years.
c. Search your institution’s archives library (if one exists).
d. Look for historical resources that have already been written.
e. Review the following sample histories as a guide.
 

SUBMIT AN ACADEMIC PROGRAM HISTORY

SUBMIT A CLINICAL PROGRAM HISTORY

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