Category Is Books is a Glasgow's local, independent, queer/LGBTQIA+ bookshop in the city's Southside. Everyone welcome (they're emphatic about that)! Founded & run by a couple, Category Is "hope[s] to create a space for the LGBTQIA+ community to learn about, be inspired by & share in [their] love of queer books, art, history, activism, writing & storytelling."
With a mix of new & secondhand books they also have designated shelves for 'Pay-It-Forward' secondhand items, acquired by them or donated by supporters.
No formal in-store café, but there is always a pot of coffee or herbal teas going.
*Category Is includes a 'Quiet Space' icon because of the bookshop's weekly Autism-friendly low-sensory day on Wednesdays, as well as for their overall awareness of sensory differences amongst people - more info below in Accessibility notes.
Bookshop now reopened!
Hours (as of 7 November 2021)
Thursday-Sunday : 11:00-18:00
Additionally, they are still doing home delivery for all their books, comics, & zines - orders for delivery are processed on a Wednesday.
Wednesdays are also their particularly-designated Autism-friendly day - more info in Accessibility notes, just below.
*Accessibility notes (impressively extensive)
- No bathroom at the shop, & closest accessible toilets are nearby at The Bungo, Glad Cafe, or Tramway (all, separate listings here on Glasgow Green Map, links below!).
- Shop is level-access for those with mobility impairments &/or users of wheeled supports such as wheelchairs or walkers.
- If the other half of the double-door needs to be opened to accommodate, just wave & they will get it!
- They work to ensure that main floor area of the shop always has at least 100cm between furniture items so customers can move around easily. Most things are on castors & no problem if something needs moving.
- There are a number of seats around the shop for easy pauses to rest whenever needed.
- They are also happy to bring books over whilst visitors are seated.
- They are able to give guidance, read blurbs, & support anyone with visual impairment.
- For anyone with hearing difficulties, they keep paper & pen by the till
- Sensory disabilities : Wednesdays, they have an Autism-friendly day, during which time (for sensory-disability reasons) they keep lights dimmed, only play white noise, & keep conversations low. (The bookshop is co-owned by a wonderful autistic human, so this is not just a formality but is important to them personally to have designed things to be as suitable as possible.)
- In their words : "Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make the shop more accessible for your needs, we hope we are creating an inclusive, friendly & safe space for all."
More info via their..
Website :
Homepage - https://www.categoryisbooks.com
FAQs (including "What do you mean by a queer bookshop?") & Accessibility - https://www.categoryisbooks.com/faqs
The Bungo - https://new.opengreenmap.org/browse/sites/617026b59cb3260100e55bb7
The Glad Café - https://new.opengreenmap.org/browse/sites/60901b7be0850e0100e72175
Tramway - https://new.opengreenmap.org/browse/sites/615f54773944ce0100fad5c3
