Our Use of Cookies and Similar Technologies
This page explains how Public Domain Literature Library and its service providers use cookies, local storage, and similar technologies when you visit our catalogue. We respect your privacy and aim to be transparent about the data we store on your device.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by a website. They help the site remember your preferences, understand how you navigate, and, where enabled, support advertising. Other technologies, such as local storage and session storage, serve similar purposes but may store slightly more data and remain only during your session or persist as set by the website.
Types of Cookies We Use
Essential (Strictly Necessary) Cookies
These cookies are required for the catalogue to function. They enable basic features such as page navigation, secure access, and remembering your cookie consent choice. Without these cookies, parts of the site may not operate correctly. Essential cookies are set by us (first-party) and do not require your prior consent.
Preference Cookies
Preference cookies allow the catalogue to remember choices you make, such as your preferred text size, view mode, or language. These cookies improve your experience by tailoring the interface to your selections. They are first-party and, where used, rely on your consent.
Analytics Cookies (Where Enabled)
We may use analytics cookies to collect anonymous information about how visitors use the catalogue—for example, which pages are most frequently viewed and whether users encounter error messages. This data helps us improve the site. These cookies are set by us or by third-party analytics services. Where analytics are enabled, your consent is obtained before these cookies are placed.
Advertising Cookies (Where Ads Are Displayed)
If you see advertisements on the catalogue, we or our advertising partners may use cookies to deliver relevant ads, measure ad performance, and prevent the same ad from appearing too often. These cookies may be set by third-party ad networks, including Google advertising services. They may track your browsing across different websites. Advertising cookies are only used where you have given your consent, and you may withdraw that consent at any time.
First-Party and Third-Party Cookies
First-party cookies are set by Public Domain Literature Library directly. Third-party cookies are set by domains other than our own—for example, analytics providers or advertising partners. We do not control how third parties use their cookies, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies.
Session and Persistent Cookies
Session cookies are temporary and are deleted when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them. The duration of persistent cookies varies by purpose; for instance, a preference cookie may persist for several months, while an analytics cookie may persist for a shorter period. We do not specify exact durations because they may change with updates to our services.
Local Storage
In addition to cookies, we may use local storage (including session storage) to store data on your device. Local storage is similar to persistent cookies but can hold larger amounts of information. We use local storage for preferences and, where enabled, to cache certain catalogue content for faster loading. Local storage is not automatically cleared when you close your browser.
Google Advertising Technologies
Where advertisements are displayed, we may use Google advertising services that employ cookies and other identifiers to serve ads based on your visits to our catalogue and other websites. Google may use the data collected to personalize ads. You can learn more about Google’s use of cookies by visiting Google’s Privacy & Terms site. You can also opt out of personalized advertising by visiting the Google Ads Settings page.
Your Consent Choices
When you first visit the catalogue, you will be presented with a cookie consent banner. You may choose to accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or customize your preferences. Essential cookies are always active. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link available in the footer of every page.
Withdrawing Consent
If you have previously consented to non-essential cookies, you may withdraw your consent at any time through the Cookie Settings. Withdrawing consent will not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal. After withdrawal, only essential cookies will remain active.
Browser Controls
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can usually block or delete cookies, and set preferences for specific websites. However, if you disable cookies entirely, some features of the catalogue may not function as intended, and you may need to re-enter preferences each time you visit. Instructions for managing cookies vary by browser; consult your browser’s help section for details.
Practical Effects of Disabling Storage
If you choose to disable all cookies and local storage, the catalogue will still be accessible, but you may experience reduced functionality. For example, you may not be able to save your text size preference, and you may see the cookie consent banner on every visit. Disabling cookies does not prevent us from using essential session storage required for the catalogue to operate.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and if the changes are significant, we will notify you through the catalogue or by other appropriate means. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact our editorial team at [email protected].