Shawn:
"Gliss pads" are those really heavy felt bass guitar picks that save
your thumb and index fingers from turning into hamburger from trying to
cut through an orchestra. Since they are felt they don't have a
"twangy" plastic sound that a regular guitar pick has, and they soften
up over time. (Throw them away when they get too soft, they're only
about a buck apiece).
Just about any music store carries them and they really are great in
certain situations -- I have even heard of situations where the picks
were needed very fast and the harpist had them on a cord around the neck
like kids mittens so that they were immediately accessible. (Although
now it probably would be easier just to stick a little square of velcro
on the back and stick them to your lap).
Robin