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, device type, operating system, the pages you view, the date and time of each request, and the website that referred you. We collect this information for every visitor, whether or not you create an account or send us a message.
If you choose to contact us through the contact form or by email, we receive the content of your message along with any contact details you provide, such as your name and email address. We use that information solely to respond to your inquiry.
We also store certain preferences you may set on the site, such as your choice of text display size or your preferred category view. These preferences are saved using cookies or similar local storage, as described below.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to make the catalogue work properly and to understand how readers use the site. A cookie is a small text file stored on your device by your browser. The cookies we set include:
- Essential cookies: These are necessary for the site to function, for example to remember your session or your chosen display settings.
- Analytics cookies (where enabled): We may use a third-party analytics service (such as Google Analytics) to collect aggregated information about how visitors use the site. This helps us improve the catalogue. These cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify any individual.
- Advertising cookies (where displayed): If we display advertisements 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 ads. These cookies may track your browsing across different websites. We use Google advertising services on some pages; Google may use cookies and web beacons to serve ads based on your visits to this and other sites.
Where enabled, web beacons (also known as pixel tags) may be embedded in pages or emails. These help us understand whether a page has been viewed or an email has been opened.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- To operate, maintain, and improve the catalogue and its features.
- To understand how readers interact with the site and to analyze usage trends.
- To respond to your inquiries and provide support.
- To detect and prevent technical issues or misuse of the site.
- Where advertising is displayed, to enable ad delivery and measurement.
We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We do not share your data with third parties except as described in this policy or as required by law.
Third-Party Services
We use limited third-party service providers to help us operate the site. These include hosting providers, analytics services, and, where applicable, advertising networks. These providers may have access to some of your data (for example, your IP address) only as necessary to perform their functions, and they are contractually bound to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify.
Where we use Google advertising services, Google may use cookies and web beacons as described in their privacy policy. You can learn more about how Google uses data when you use our site by visiting www.google.com/policies/privacy/partners/.
Your Choices and Controls
You have several options to control the data collected about you:
- Browser settings: Most browsers allow you to manage cookies through their settings. You can block or delete cookies, but doing so may affect some features of the site.
- Analytics opt-out: Where analytics are enabled, you can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.
- Advertising opt-out: You can opt out of personalized advertising from Google by visiting Google’s Ads Settings. You can also opt out of many third-party advertising cookies through the Digital Advertising Alliance’s opt-out page.
- Do Not Track: Our site does not currently respond to Do Not Track signals, but you may use the controls above to limit tracking.
- Consent management: Where required by law, we will seek your consent before placing non-essential cookies. You can change your consent preferences at any time through the cookie consent tool available on the site.
Data Retention
We retain server logs and analytics data for a period sufficient to analyze trends and maintain security. Personal information you provide (such as in messages) is retained only as long as necessary to address your inquiry or as required by law. We do not retain data indefinitely without a legitimate operational need.
Security
We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your data against unauthorized access, loss, or alteration. However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Children’s Privacy
Our catalogue is intended for a general audience. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without parental consent. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us, and we will take steps to delete that information.
International Visitors
Our site is hosted in New Zealand and is accessible from many countries. If you visit from outside New Zealand, your data may be transferred to and processed in New Zealand or other jurisdictions where our service providers operate. By using the site, you consent to such transfer.
Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights regarding your personal data, including the right to access, correct, delete, or port your data, and the right to object to or restrict processing. To exercise these rights, please contact us at the email address below. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable law.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the date at the top of the policy. We encourage you to review this page periodically for any changes.
Contact
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact the catalogue project at editor@ijawu.com.