What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help the site remember your actions and preferences over time. This page explains how and why we use cookies on the Public Domain Literature Library.

Essential Cookies

Certain cookies are strictly necessary for the operation of our catalogue. They enable core functions such as session management, secure browsing, and the ability to save your reading preferences or progress through a book. These cookies do not require your prior consent, but you may block them through browser settings, which may affect the site's performance.

Preference Cookies

We use preference cookies to remember choices you make, such as your preferred text size, display mode, or language. These cookies enhance your experience by tailoring the interface to your selections. They are set only when you express a preference, and they persist across visits unless cleared.

Analytics and Performance

Where enabled, we may use analytics services (such as Google Analytics) to collect aggregated, anonymous data about how visitors interact with the site. This includes pages visited, time spent, and navigation patterns. This information helps us improve the catalogue and understand which works are of interest. No personally identifiable information is collected through these cookies. You may opt out of analytics cookies by adjusting your browser settings or using the consent controls available on the site.

Advertising Cookies

If advertisements are displayed on the site, we may use Google advertising technologies (such as Google AdSense or Google Ad Manager) to serve relevant ads. These services may place cookies on your device to track your browsing across websites and build a profile of your interests. This enables the delivery of ads that are more likely to be relevant to you. You have the right to decline advertising cookies. Where a consent mechanism is provided, you may withdraw your consent at any time.

First-Party and Third-Party Cookies

First-party cookies are set by the Public Domain Literature Library directly. Third-party cookies are set by services we use, such as Google Analytics or Google advertising. We do not control the data practices of these third parties, and their use of cookies is governed by their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review those policies for further information.

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 manually delete them. The duration varies by cookie type and purpose. For example, preference cookies may persist for several months, while analytics cookies may have a shorter lifespan.

Local Storage

In addition to cookies, we may use local storage (such as HTML5 localStorage) to store data on your device. This is used for similar purposes as cookies, such as remembering your reading progress or interface preferences. Local storage is not automatically cleared when you close your browser, but you can manage it through your browser settings.

Your Choices and Consent

When you first visit the site, you may be presented with a cookie consent notice. For non-essential cookies (analytics and advertising), we rely on your consent. You can accept or decline these categories, and you may change your preferences at any time through the consent settings link typically found in the footer. Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

Browser Controls

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can block all cookies, delete existing cookies, or receive a warning before a cookie is stored. Please note that disabling essential cookies may impair the functionality of the site. Instructions for managing cookies are usually found in your browser's help section.

Practical Effects of Disabling Storage

If you disable cookies or local storage, some features of the Public Domain Literature Library may not work as intended. For example, you may not be able to save your reading progress, maintain your preferences across visits, or see certain content. The site will remain accessible, but your experience may be less personalized.

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. We encourage you to review it periodically. Continued use of the site after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact

If you have questions about our use of cookies, you may contact our Fiction Editor at editor@diyau.com.