Information We Receive Automatically
When you visit the Public Domain Literature Library, our server records routine log entries. These may include your IP address, the type and version of browser and operating system you use, the pages you view, the date and time of your visit, and the website that referred you. We use this information to maintain the catalogue, diagnose technical issues, and understand general usage patterns. Log data is not linked to any personal identifier beyond the IP address, and we do not attempt to identify you from it except in cases of suspected misuse or legal obligation.
Information You Provide Voluntarily
You may choose to send us a message via the contact email address listed on the site. Any information you include in that message — such as your name, email address, or comments — is used solely to respond to your enquiry. We retain correspondence only as long as reasonably necessary to address the matter and do not use it for any other purpose.
If the site offers optional features such as bookmark lists or reading preferences, any data you save (for example, a list of titles or display settings) is stored locally in your browser or, where indicated, on our server. You can clear or modify this data at any time through your browser settings or the site’s interface.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to support the basic operation of the catalogue. A cookie is a small text file stored by your web browser. Some cookies are essential for the site to function, such as those that remember your session or preference settings. Others help us understand how visitors use the site so we can improve it.
Where enabled, we may use an analytics service (such as Google Analytics) that sets its own cookies to collect aggregated information about visitor behaviour. This data is processed in anonymised form and is not combined with any personal identifiers. You can opt out of analytics cookies by adjusting your browser settings or by using the opt-out tools provided by the analytics service.
If advertising is displayed on the site, third-party advertising networks may place cookies or web beacons to serve ads relevant to your interests. These technologies allow the network to recognise your browser across visits and across different websites. We do not control these cookies, and you should check the privacy policies of the respective advertising networks for more information. You may opt out of interest-based advertising through industry programmes such as the Digital Advertising Alliance or the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance.
Where Google advertising services are used, Google may set cookies to serve ads based on your visits to this and other websites. You can manage your Google ad preferences and opt out of Google’s use of cookies for personalised advertising by visiting Google’s Ads Settings page.
Web beacons (also known as pixel tags) may be included in some pages or emails to measure engagement. These beacons do not store personal data but may communicate with third-party services to confirm that a page was viewed or an email was opened.
Purposes of Processing
We process the information described above for the following purposes:
- To operate, maintain, and improve the catalogue and its features.
- To understand how visitors interact with the site and to diagnose technical issues.
- To respond to enquiries you send us.
- Where advertising is displayed, to support the availability of free content.
- To comply with legal obligations and protect the rights and safety of users and the site.
Service Providers and Third-Party Access
We may engage limited third-party service providers (such as hosting, analytics, or advertising partners) who have access to some of the data described above solely to perform services on our behalf. These providers are contractually bound to use the data only for the specified purposes and to protect its confidentiality. We do not sell your personal information to third parties.
Data Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect the information we hold 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 log data and other automatically collected information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described above, after which it is deleted or anonymised. Voluntary correspondence is retained only for the period needed to address the enquiry and any follow-up. Retention periods are not fixed but are determined by operational need and legal requirements.
Your Choices and Rights
You have the following choices regarding your data:
- Browser controls: Most browsers allow you to manage cookies, including blocking or deleting them. Please consult your browser’s help section for instructions. Note that blocking essential cookies may affect the functionality of the site.
- Opt-out of analytics: You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on or by adjusting your cookie preferences.
- Opt-out of personalised advertising: You can opt out of interest-based advertising through the Digital Advertising Alliance’s consumer choice tool, the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance’s tool, or your device settings.
- Access, correction, and deletion: Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to request access to, correction of, or deletion of personal data we hold about you. To exercise these rights, please contact us using the email address provided on the site. We will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.
- Withdrawal of consent: Where processing is based on your consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time by adjusting your settings or contacting us. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal.
Children’s Privacy
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe that a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us so that we can delete it.
External Links
The catalogue may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
International Access
This site is operated from Ireland. If you access it from outside Ireland, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in Ireland or other jurisdictions where our service providers operate. By using the site, you consent to such transfer, storage, and processing 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 it has been updated. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
Contact
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact the Manuscript Reviewer at the email address listed on the site.