Policies & Information

We want GLOSS to be a place where people can enjoy making music, learn from one another and feel comfortable spending time. Here you'll find some information about what to expect when visiting, how we look after the space and the people using it, and how to get in touch if something isn't right.

RULES OF GLOSS

A few things to bear in mind when spending time at GLOSS.

Everyone who respects others is welcome here

Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, classism, xenophobia and other forms of discrimination, harassment or exclusionary behaviour are not tolerated at GLOSS.

No gatekeeping

Everyone has different experiences, interests and levels of knowledge. Be curious, share what you know and respect what others bring to the space.

Ask before taking or plugging in equipment

Please ask a librarian before taking instruments from the shelves or connecting equipment. They'll help you get set up and make sure you're using the correct power supplies.

Look after the instruments

Much of the collection has been donated or loaned to us. Treat the equipment with care and ask for help if you're unsure about anything.

Keep drinks away from instruments

Please keep drinks in the kitchen or sitting area, and never on surfaces shared with instruments.

Respect people's boundaries

Be considerate of others using the space. Ask before joining in, touching somebody else's setup or interrupting their work.

Tell us if something goes wrong

If something breaks, isn't working properly or makes you uncomfortable, please let a librarian know.

Make whatever you want

There's no right or wrong way to approach electronic music. Experiment, make mistakes, try things out and follow your own interests.

Look after the instruments. Look after the space. Look after each other.

If something isn't right

If you experience or witness behaviour at GLOSS that concerns you, you can speak to the librarian on duty or contact us directly at hello@gloss.scot.

We take concerns about discrimination, harassment and inappropriate behaviour seriously. We may ask someone to leave or restrict their access to GLOSS where necessary.

You don't have to raise an issue directly with the person involved.

We want GLOSS to be accessible to as many people as possible, and recognise that different people have different requirements when it comes to making music, learning and spending time in the library.
Getting here and accessing the building
GLOSS is located on the second floor of 5 Florence Street in Glasgow's Gorbals.
The building has step-free access via a ramp at the main entrance. A lift in the centre of the building provides step-free access to the second floor, where you'll find the library.
Accessible toilets are located on the first floor and can be reached by lift.
Inside the library
The space has seating, headphones for working independently and a comfortable area where you can take a break. Different activities involve different levels of sound, from quieter individual sessions to group activities and performances.
We sometimes burn incense in the library, and we generally ask visitors to leave their shoes at the door. We're happy to make adjustments to either of these arrangements for accessibility or sensory reasons.
If you have particular access requirements, would like support using the instruments or want to know more about what to expect at an event, please get in touch before visiting. We'll be happy to discuss what we can do.
Access enquiries: hello@gloss.scot
GLOSS is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for everyone taking part in our activities, with particular responsibilities towards children, young people and protected adults.
We have a safeguarding policy covering our workshops, projects, performances, events and online activities. It sets out the responsibilities of our staff and facilitators, the steps we take to minimise risk and how safeguarding concerns are reported and handled.
Designated Safeguarding Officer
Suzanne Cook
suzi@gloss.scot
Deputy Safeguarding Officer
Lewis Cook
hello@gloss.scot
If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of somebody involved in a GLOSS activity, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Officer. If your concern relates to Suzanne, or she is unavailable, you can contact Lewis instead.
Concerns are taken seriously and handled sensitively. Information will only be shared where necessary, including with relevant authorities where somebody may be at risk of harm.
In an emergency or where somebody is in immediate danger, call 999.

[Read our full Safeguarding Policy]
We want people to feel comfortable raising concerns about their experiences at GLOSS, whether that's something that's happened during a session, an issue with the space or equipment, or the way we've handled a situation.
If something isn't right, you can speak to a librarian or contact us by email:
General enquiries and complaints: hello@gloss.scot
Alternatively, contact Suzi directly: suzi@gloss.scot
Please give us as much information as you feel comfortable sharing so we can understand what's happened.
We'll take your concern seriously, look into it and get back to you with a response. Where appropriate, we'll explain any action we've taken or changes we intend to make.
You don't need to raise a complaint directly with the person involved.
Concerns involving the safety or wellbeing of children, young people or protected adults will be handled under our safeguarding procedures.
Bookings for Open Sessions, clubs, workshops and events are managed through Bookwhen.
If you need to cancel, please let us know as soon as possible.
Cancellations at least 48 hours before a session: We can offer a full refund.
Cancellations within 48 hours: We can't offer a refund, but we'll do our best to transfer your booking to a future session, subject to availability.
Non-attendance: We can't offer refunds or transfers for sessions you don't attend without cancelling.
If GLOSS cancels: You'll receive a full refund or the option to transfer to another date.
You can read our full booking and refund policy on Bookwhen.
Read our booking and refund policy
Who we are
Glasgow Library of Synthesized Sound CIC (GLOSS) is responsible for the personal information we collect and use in connection with our activities.
If you have any questions about your personal information, please contact hello@gloss.scot.
What information we collect
Depending on how you interact with GLOSS, we may collect:
- Your name, email address and other contact details.
- Information about bookings, memberships and participation in our activities.
- Information provided through applications for our educational programmes and projects.
- Information you choose to share with us when making an enquiry or requesting access arrangements.
- Photographs or recordings made during our activities, where permission has been given.
- Technical information about visits to our website, where collected by our website and analytics services.
How and why we use your information
We use personal information for different purposes depending on how you interact with GLOSS.
Bookings and memberships
When you book a session, workshop or event, or become a GLOSS member, we use your contact and booking information to administer your booking, communicate important information about your attendance and provide the services you've requested.
Our lawful basis for this is performance of a contract.
Mailing list
If you subscribe to our mailing list, we'll use your email address to send news about GLOSS, including upcoming events, workshops and projects.
Our lawful basis is consent. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails.
Our mailing list is managed through MailerLite.
General enquiries
When you contact GLOSS, we use the information you provide to respond to your enquiry and deal with any questions or concerns.
Our lawful basis is legitimate interests, specifically our interest in responding to enquiries and communicating with people who use or are interested in GLOSS. Where an enquiry concerns an existing booking, we may instead rely on our contract with you.
Project applications and participation
When you apply to participate in one of our educational programmes, we use the information provided to assess applications, communicate with applicants, organise activities and administer the project.
Our proposed lawful basis is legitimate interests, specifically organising and delivering our educational and community programmes. We will provide additional privacy information where an application requires sensitive personal information.
Applications are generally managed using Google Forms.
Photographs and documentation
We sometimes photograph and document GLOSS activities for publicity, reporting and archiving.
Where we ask for your consent to take or publish identifiable photographs, you can withdraw that consent by contacting us. We'll remove the relevant material from GLOSS-controlled platforms where applicable.
Legal and administrative obligations
We may need to retain certain records to comply with accounting, tax or other legal requirements.
Our lawful basis for processing information necessary to meet those requirements is legal obligation.
Website operation
We use Squarespace to operate our website. Where personal information is processed for the necessary operation, maintenance and security of the website, our lawful basis is generally legitimate interests in running a functional and secure website.
Optional analytics technologies are handled according to the applicable cookie requirements and your available cookie choices.
Glasgow Library of Synthesized Sound CIC
Library address:
5 Florence Street
Glasgow G5 0YX
Email: hello@gloss.scot
Company number: SC754357
Registered in Scotland
Registered office:
2/1 1 Hampden Terrace
Glasgow G42 9XG