Information We Collect
When you visit the Public Domain Literature Library, our servers automatically record routine log data. This includes your IP address, browser type and version, the operating system you use, the pages you view, the date and time of your visit, and the website that referred you. We collect this information to maintain the security and stability of the catalogue, to diagnose technical issues, and to understand general usage patterns.
If you choose to contact us via the email address provided on the site, we will receive and store the contents of your message, your email address, and any other personal information you voluntarily include. We use this only to respond to your inquiry and do not add your address to any marketing list.
We may also store certain preferences you set while browsing, such as your choice of text size or display mode, using local storage or cookies as described below.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience and to understand how the catalogue is used. A cookie is a small text file stored on your device by your web browser. The following types of cookies may be used:
- Essential cookies — These are necessary for the site to function, such as remembering your session or your preference settings. They do not track you across other websites.
- Analytics cookies — Where enabled, we use a third-party analytics service to collect anonymised information about how visitors use the site, such as which pages are most popular and how users navigate between them. This helps us improve the catalogue.
- Advertising cookies — If advertising is displayed on the site, third-party advertisers may place cookies on your device to serve ads relevant to your interests and to measure the effectiveness of their campaigns. These cookies may track your visits across different websites.
We may also use web beacons (also known as pixel tags) in conjunction with cookies. These are tiny graphic images that help us understand whether a page has been viewed or an email opened, and to compile aggregate statistics.
Google Advertising Services
Where advertising is displayed, we may use Google AdSense or other Google advertising services. Google uses cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our site or other websites. You can learn more about how Google uses data collected through its advertising services at Google's Privacy & Terms site. To opt out of personalised advertising from Google, visit Google's Ad Settings.
Third-Party Cookies
Some third-party services we use, such as analytics providers and advertising networks, may place their own cookies on your device. These cookies are subject to the privacy policies of those third parties. We do not control these cookies and recommend that you review the privacy policies of any third-party services we use.
Purposes of Processing
We process your personal information for the following purposes:
- To operate and maintain the catalogue, including troubleshooting and improving performance.
- To understand how visitors use the site and to enhance their experience.
- To communicate with you if you have contacted us.
- To serve relevant advertising, where enabled, and to measure its effectiveness.
- To comply with legal obligations and protect our rights and the rights of others.
Service Provider Access
We may share your information with limited third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as web hosting, analytics, and advertising. These providers are contractually bound to use your information only as necessary to provide their services to us and to protect its confidentiality.
Data Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure, or access. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Data Retention
We retain your personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy, or as required by applicable law. Log data is typically retained for a limited period before being anonymised or deleted. Messages you send us may be retained for a reasonable period to address your inquiry and for record-keeping.
Your Choices and Rights
You have the following choices regarding your data:
- Browser controls — Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can usually choose to block all cookies, block third-party cookies, or delete cookies when you close your browser. Please note that disabling essential cookies may affect the functionality of the site.
- Consent controls — Where we rely on your consent for certain data processing (such as non-essential cookies), you can withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your cookie preferences through the consent management tool provided on the site.
- Opt-out of personalised advertising — You can opt out of personalised advertising from Google and other participating advertisers by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page or the Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out page.
- Access, correction, deletion — Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you, to request its correction, or to request its deletion. To exercise these rights, please contact us using the email address provided on the site.
- Data portability — In some jurisdictions, you may have the right to receive a copy of your personal information in a structured, machine-readable format.
Children's Privacy
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that a child has provided us with personal information without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.
External Links
The catalogue may contain links to external websites that are not operated by us. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
International Access
Our site is hosted in and operated from Ireland. If you access the catalogue from outside Ireland, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in Ireland or other countries 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. We take steps to ensure that your information receives adequate protection in accordance with this policy.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the policy and indicate that changes have been made. We encourage you to review this page periodically for any updates.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact the catalogue project listed on the site.