How We Use Cookies and Similar Technologies

This page explains how the Public Domain Literature Library uses cookies, local storage, and similar technologies to provide, secure, and improve our catalogue of classic and contemporary literature.

Essential Cookies

We use essential cookies to enable core functions such as session management, security, and maintaining your preferences during a visit. These cookies are necessary for the site to operate and are set automatically. They are typically first-party, session-based cookies that expire when you close your browser. Without these cookies, basic functions like navigating between pages or saving your reading progress would not work reliably.

Preference Cookies

Where you choose to customise your experience—for example, by selecting a reading mode, text size, or language preference—we may store a cookie to remember your choices on future visits. These are persistent cookies that remain on your device for a limited period, typically up to one year, unless cleared earlier. This allows us to present the catalogue in a way that suits your needs each time you return.

Analytics and Performance

We may use analytics services, such as Google Analytics, to collect anonymised information about how visitors use our catalogue. This includes pages visited, time spent, and interaction with features. Where enabled, these analytics use first-party cookies and local storage to track aggregate usage patterns. The data helps us improve the catalogue and understand which editions and reading notes are most valued. No personally identifiable information is collected through these cookies. For example, we can see that a particular edition like Bring the Jubilee receives many visits, but we cannot identify individual readers.

Advertising and Google Technologies

If advertisements are displayed on the site, we may use Google advertising technologies, including Google AdSense or similar services. These services may set third-party cookies on your device to deliver relevant ads based on your browsing history and interests. Google also uses cookies to measure ad performance and prevent fraud. You can learn more about how Google uses data at policies.google.com/technologies/ads. We do not control these third-party cookies, and their use is subject to Google's own privacy policies. Note that not all pages include advertising, and the presence of ads may vary.

Third-Party Cookies

In addition to Google, third-party services integrated into the site (such as embedded content or social sharing features) may set their own cookies. We do not have access to or control over these cookies. You should review the privacy policies of those third parties for more information. Examples include embedded videos or interactive elements that may originate from external platforms.

Local Storage

In addition to cookies, we may use local storage (e.g., HTML5 localStorage) to store certain data on your device, such as reading progress or interface preferences. This data remains on your device and is not automatically transmitted to us unless you take an action that sends it (e.g., submitting a form). Local storage can hold more information than cookies and is not automatically cleared when you close your browser.

Your Choices and Consent

When you first visit the site, you may be presented with a cookie consent notice that allows you to accept or decline non-essential cookies. Essential cookies do not require consent. You can withdraw or change your consent at any time by adjusting your cookie preferences through the consent management tool available on the site. The tool is typically accessible via a link in the footer of every page.

Browser Controls

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can block or delete cookies, and set preferences for specific websites. Note that disabling essential cookies may affect the functionality of the catalogue, including the ability to log in or maintain session state. You can also use browser settings to clear local storage. For detailed instructions, consult your browser's help documentation.

Practical Effects of Disabling Storage

If you disable all cookies and local storage, you may still browse the catalogue, but certain features—such as persistent preferences, reading progress tracking, and personalised recommendations—will not be available. Some pages may not display correctly, and you may be asked to re-enter preferences on each visit. For example, your text size choice for The Man Higher Up would not be remembered between sessions.

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page. We encourage you to review it periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.

Contact

If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact the Collection Editor at [email protected].