Information We Receive Automatically

When you visit the Public Domain Literature Library, our servers record routine log data. This includes your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, the referring page, the pages you request, and the time of each request. We use this information to diagnose technical problems, prevent abuse, and understand how the catalogue is used. Log data is retained only as long as necessary for these purposes and is not combined with other identifiers except as needed for security. For example, if we detect repeated attempts to access pages in a pattern that suggests automated scraping, we may temporarily review log entries to block the source.

Information You Provide Voluntarily

If you send a message to the editor using the contact address provided on the site, we receive your email address and any other information you choose to include. We use this only to respond to your inquiry and do not add it to any marketing list. We do not sell or share personal correspondence. We recommend that you avoid including sensitive personal details in unsolicited messages, as email is not a fully secure communication channel.

Site Preferences

We may store small pieces of information on your device to remember your preferences, such as text size or display mode. These are not used for tracking across other sites. For instance, if you select a larger font size for reading a guide like Ludus Coventriæ — A Reader’s Guide, that choice may be stored locally so it persists when you navigate to other pages.

Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar storage technologies where they help the site function or improve your experience. These may include session cookies that expire when you close your browser and persistent cookies that remain until you delete them. You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies, but doing so may affect the functionality of certain features.

Analytics

Where enabled, we use a privacy-respecting analytics service to collect aggregated, non-personal data about page views and visitor patterns. This service does not share your data with third parties and does not use cookies to identify you personally. The data we receive includes general geographic location (at the country or city level), browser type, and which pages are most frequently visited. This helps us understand which categories—such as A Guide to Verse and the Stage or World Events in Context—are of greatest interest to readers.

Advertising

Where advertising is displayed, we may use Google AdSense or similar services. These services may use cookies and web beacons to serve ads based on your visits to this and other sites. Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your browsing activity. You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google’s Ads Settings. For more information, see Google’s Privacy Policy.

Third-party ad networks may also set cookies or use web beacons on this site. We do not control these technologies, and you should consult the privacy policies of those third parties for details. If you prefer not to receive targeted advertisements, you can adjust your browser settings to block third-party cookies or use an opt-out tool provided by the Network Advertising Initiative.

How We Use Your Information

We process information for the following purposes:

• To operate, maintain, and improve the catalogue, including adding new reading companions and edition insights
• To respond to your communications
• To detect, prevent, and address technical issues or abuse
• To comply with legal obligations

Service Providers

We may share limited information with trusted service providers who assist us in hosting, analytics, or email delivery. These providers are contractually bound to use the data only for the services we request and to protect it appropriately. For example, our hosting provider may have access to server logs in the course of maintaining the site’s infrastructure.

Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure. We encourage you to use strong passwords and keep your software updated when interacting with any online service.

Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy or as required by law. Log data is kept for a limited period—typically no more than a few months—and then deleted or anonymized. If you contact us, we will retain your message and our response for a reasonable period to handle follow-up inquiries.

Your Choices and Rights

You have the right to:

• Opt out of cookies through your browser settings
• Disable JavaScript or other technologies that may be used for analytics
• Request access to, correction of, or deletion of any personal data we hold about you
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

To exercise these rights, contact the editor at the email address provided on the site. We will respond within a reasonable time. Please be aware that deleting certain data may limit our ability to provide services, such as remembering your preferences.

Children's Privacy

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us so we can delete it. Our catalogue includes classic works that may be studied in educational settings, but we do not target content specifically at children.

External Links

The catalogue may contain links to external websites, such as those of academic institutions or digital archives. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

International Access

The Public Domain Literature Library is operated from the United States. If you access the site from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate. By using the site, you consent to such transfer. We take steps to ensure that data transferred internationally is adequately protected.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page. Your continued use of the site after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

Contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact the editor at [email protected].