Our Use of Cookies and Similar Technologies
This page explains how the Public Domain Literature Library and, where applicable, third-party services may store information on your device when you visit our catalogue. We use the term ‘cookie’ to refer to cookies, web beacons, local storage and similar technologies. These tools help us provide a functional, personalised, and continuously improving experience for readers exploring works such as Liberty and the News, Affirmations, or An Outline of Humor.
Essential and Functional Storage
Certain storage is strictly necessary for the catalogue to work. This includes remembering your session so that you can move between pages without re-entering information, and storing your cookie preferences. These technologies do not require your consent and cannot be disabled through our preference controls. They are typically first-party, session-based cookies or local storage items that are deleted when you close your browser, although some may persist for a short period to remember your choices. For example, a session cookie may be used to keep you logged in while browsing a category like Adventure Picaresque Fiction.
Preference and Customisation Storage
Where you have chosen a display option — such as a text size, a theme, or a view mode — we may store that preference in a persistent cookie or local storage. This is optional and only set after you have made a selection. You can clear these preferences at any time by adjusting your browser settings. For instance, if you select a larger font size while reading Elements of Criticism, Volume II, that choice may be remembered for future visits. Similarly, if you enable a reading mode for The Footpath Way: An Anthology for Walkers, your view preferences will be retained.
Analytics and Performance Measurement
Where enabled, we use first-party analytics to understand how readers interact with the catalogue — for example, which pages are most visited and whether any errors occur. This information helps us improve the site, ensuring that popular works like Bill Nye's Red Book or The Footpath Way are easily accessible. The data collected is aggregated and does not identify you personally. You may opt out of analytics storage through our cookie preference panel or by using your browser’s do-not-track settings. We also analyse general usage patterns across categories such as Critical Writing & Cultural Debate to refine our content presentation.
Advertising Technologies
Occasionally, the catalogue may display advertisements. If ads are shown, we may use Google’s advertising services, which may place cookies on your device to serve relevant ads, limit the number of times you see an ad, and measure ad effectiveness. These cookies may be first-party or third-party and can be persistent or session-based. Google’s use of advertising cookies is governed by Google’s privacy policy. You can manage your ad preferences through Google’s Ad Settings or via the Your AdChoices page. In jurisdictions where consent is required, we will ask for your permission before enabling advertising cookies. This helps us continue offering free access to texts such as Ioläus: An Anthology of Friendship and Bill Nye and Boomerang.
Third-Party Cookies
Some pages may embed content from external services — such as videos, maps, or social media buttons — which may set their own cookies. We do not control these cookies. You should check the privacy policies of those third parties for information about their practices. For example, a page discussing Landscapes, Cultures & Routes might include a map embed that sets cookies from the mapping service. Similarly, a page about Historical Psychological Social Fiction could feature a social media share button that sets cookies from the platform.
Managing Your Preferences
When you first visit the catalogue, you will be offered a choice about non-essential storage. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the ‘Cookie Preferences’ link in the footer of every page. Alternatively, most browsers allow you to view, block, or delete cookies and local storage through their settings. Please note that disabling essential storage may prevent certain features from working correctly. If you have questions about how your data is handled while browsing works like Portraits and Speculations or Why Authors Go Wrong, we encourage you to review this policy periodically. You may also contact the catalogue project for clarification.
Types of Cookies We Use
To give you a clearer picture, here is a summary of the categories of cookies that may be used on our site:
- Strictly Necessary Cookies: These are essential for the site to function, such as session cookies that enable navigation and access to secure areas.
- Preference Cookies: These remember your settings, such as text size or theme, to enhance your experience.
- Analytics Cookies: These collect anonymised data on how readers use the site, helping us improve performance and content.
- Advertising Cookies: These are used to deliver relevant ads and measure their effectiveness, where advertising is displayed.
If you have any questions about our use of cookies, please contact the catalogue project at editor@iyiqe.com.