Information We Receive Automatically
When you visit the Public Domain Literature Library, our server records routine log entries. These may include your IP address, the type of browser and device you are using, the date and time of your visit, the pages you view, and the website that referred you. This information helps us understand general usage patterns, diagnose technical issues, and maintain the security of the catalogue.
Information You Provide Voluntarily
If you send us a message through the contact address listed on the site, we receive the contents of your message and any contact information you choose to include. We use this only to respond to your inquiry. We do not sell or share this information with third parties.
Site Preferences
We may store small pieces of information on your device to remember your preferences, such as how you like to view reading notes or which categories you have explored. These are not used for tracking across other websites.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Like many websites, we may use cookies and similar technologies. A cookie is a small text file stored on your device. We may use session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which remain until you or your browser removes them).
Essential Cookies
Some cookies are necessary for the basic operation of the catalogue, such as maintaining your session or remembering your preference to dismiss a notice. These do not require your consent.
Analytics and Performance
Where enabled, we may use a third-party analytics service to collect anonymised information about how visitors interact with the site. This service may set its own cookies. The data collected includes pages visited, time spent on the site, and general geographic location derived from IP addresses. We use this information to improve the catalogue and understand which works and editions are of most interest.
Advertising
Where displayed, advertising on this site may be provided by Google and other advertising networks. These services may use cookies and web beacons to serve ads based on your previous visits to this or other websites. Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your visits to this site and other sites on the internet. You may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google’s Ads Settings. For more information, see Google’s Privacy Policy.
Third-Party Cookies
Advertising partners may set their own cookies on your device when you interact with an advertisement. These cookies are subject to the privacy policies of those third parties. We do not control them.
Web Beacons
Pages or emails may contain small invisible images, known as web beacons or pixel tags, which help us measure engagement with content. These may record a simple page view or email open event and are not used to collect personal information.
Purposes of Processing
We process information for the following purposes:
- To operate and maintain the catalogue
- To understand how readers use the site
- To improve the selection and presentation of works
- To detect and prevent security incidents
- To comply with legal obligations
Service Providers
We may share information with limited service providers who assist with hosting, analytics, and advertising. These providers are contractually bound to use the information only for the purposes we specify and to protect it appropriately.
Security
We take reasonable measures to protect the information we hold from unauthorised access, alteration, or destruction. However, no online service is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Retention
We retain log data and analytics information for as long as it is useful for the purposes described above. Personal information you provide in messages is retained only as long as necessary to address your inquiry. We do not retain information longer than needed.
Your Choices
You have several ways to control how your information is collected and used:
- Browser controls: Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies. Please note that blocking essential cookies may affect site functionality.
- Analytics opt-out: Where analytics are enabled, you may be able to opt out using a browser add-on or by adjusting your cookie preferences.
- Advertising opt-out: You can opt out of personalised advertising from Google and other participating networks by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page or Google’s Ads Settings.
- Do Not Track: Some browsers transmit a Do Not Track signal. We do not currently change our practices in response to this signal, but you may use the controls above.
Privacy Rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights regarding your personal information, such as the right to access, correct, or delete data we hold about you. To exercise these rights, please contact us using the email address provided on the site. We will respond in accordance with applicable law.
Children’s Privacy
Our catalogue is intended for a general audience. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us so that we can review and delete it.
External Links
The site may contain links to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any information.
International Access
This site is operated from the United Kingdom. If you access it from outside the UK, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the UK or other locations where our service providers operate. By using the site, you acknowledge that your information may be transferred to countries that may have different data protection laws than your own.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. We will indicate the changes by updating the policy on this page. We encourage you to review it periodically.
If you have questions about this policy, please contact the catalogue project at the email address listed on the site.