Community Reading Room
The Pluto Q Community Reading Room is an accessible community arts venue in Govanhill, Glasgow. It is a free, inclusive space led by a team of queer and disabled creatives with a shared vision of a venue designed around the needs and dreams of marginalised artists.
We have a regular schedule of classes and activities, as well as frequent Saturday evening events. Our next event is a Launch Party Book Swap on Saturday 22nd March.
Building this venue is an ongoing process, and we want our choices to be led by the things that matter most to the people who use the space. If you would like your needs and ideas to shape our work and provision – click here fill out our Community Consultation Form.
The venue has multiple rooms which are available for hire by individuals and community groups – if you have an idea for a one-off event or regular programme of activity that aligns with our Mission & Values, please get in touch by email to info@plutoq.com to discuss options.
Accessibility
Location
Our Community Reading Room venue is at 42-44 Albert Road, G42 8DN – We are a 100m walk along a flat and wide pavement from the nearest bus stops on Victoria Road. The closest train station is Queens Park Glasgow. Queens Park station does not have step free access.
COVID-19
As a space by and for disabled people, we recognise that COVID-19 is an ongoing threat to disabled, chronically ill, and/or neurodivergent people’s right to participate in public life and recreation.
The space is well ventilated, with active extraction fans pulling air from every room in the venue to external vents. We have a MORENTO HY4866-WF air purifier running at all times for filtration. This machine is FCC Certified, EPA Certified, CE Certified, ETL Certified, and CARB Certified, and is designed for large spaces.
Wearing a mask is the best way to keep ourselves and each other safe. We know that for many in our community it is important to wear a mask and to only be around other people who are wearing masks and who take COVID safety seriously. We also know that there are people who cannot wear a mask because of their own access needs.
During our dedicatedly COVID-conscious scheduling masks are mandatory. Masks should be worn before entering the space, and the only people who are not wearing masks will be conscious self-exceptions. We ask people who are not able to wear a mask to consider carefully whether the COVID-conscious time is the right time for them to be in the space – for some immunocompromised mask-exempt people, being in community with other COVID-conscious people might be important, but for most who cannot wear masks we simply ask that you come along at another time.
The dedicated slots in our regular schedule for specific activities for building COVID-conscious community at Pluto Q:
- Wednesdays 1pm-5pm – Crafternoon: Bring a project or start a new one – All Crafts Are Beautiful!
- Wednesdays 5pm-9pm – Game Night: Enjoy boardgames and TTRPGs with fellow COVID-conscious nerds.
- Fridays 11am-5pm – Community Day: socialising, parallel play, life admin solidarity, and anything else we want to do!
Mobility & Sensory Access
The door to the venue is nice and wide, but is heavy and not yet automatic. There will always be someone in the space who can come open the door for you if you knock.
The space has a large range of seating options to suit all needs, as well as adjustable height tables in various shapes and sizes. We aim to be as flexible as possible and are committed to finding every visitor a spot where they can feel comfortable.
We have an accessible toilet, but we do not currently have baby changing facilities – we are working on this and will update when we have sorted it!
The lighting in the space is low, warm, and constant (no flickering), and the ceiling is covered with acoustic foam for noise-reduction. We have supplies of disposable earplugs, and a collection of sensory toys/stims for visitors which are cleaned regularly. There is usually some low instrumental music playing, and some sound from adjoining spaces carries a little into the main Reading Room.
Dogs are welcome, but due to severe allergies on the staff team, we ask you to please keep them away from any soft furnishings.