What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device by your web browser. They help a website remember information about your visit, such as language preferences or login status. Similar technologies, such as local storage and pixel tags, may also be used.

Cookies serve a variety of purposes: they can make your experience more efficient by remembering your settings, help us understand how the catalogue is used, and, where advertising is displayed, tailor ads to your interests. This policy explains the types of storage we use and how you can control them.

How We Use Storage

Essential Storage

Certain storage is necessary for the catalogue to function. This includes session cookies that enable you to navigate between pages without re-entering information, and persistent cookies that remember whether you have dismissed a notice. These do not require your consent because they are strictly necessary for the operation of the site. Without them, basic functions like logging in or maintaining a reading session would not work.

Preference Storage

Where you choose a display option—such as font size, a reading mode, or a preferred category view—we may store that choice in a cookie or local storage so it persists across visits. This is a convenience feature: it means you do not have to reset your preferences each time you return. Preference storage is non-essential, and we will seek your consent before placing it where required by law.

Analytics Storage (Where Enabled)

We may use analytics services to understand how visitors use the catalogue, such as which pages are viewed most often, how long visitors stay, and which links they click. These services set cookies that collect aggregated, anonymised data. Where analytics are enabled, your consent is obtained before these cookies are placed. The information gathered helps us improve the catalogue—for example, by identifying popular works or navigation issues. We do not use analytics to personally identify you.

Advertising Storage (Where Ads Are Displayed)

Some pages may display advertisements served by Google or other advertising partners. These partners may use cookies and similar technologies to show ads based on your browsing activity and to measure ad performance. This includes Google advertising technologies such as Google Ads and Google AdSense. Where advertising cookies are used, your consent is requested beforehand. You may withdraw consent at any time. Note that advertising may not appear on all pages; it is limited to certain sections of the catalogue.

First-Party and Third-Party Cookies

First-party cookies are set by the catalogue itself. They are used for essential functions and preferences. Third-party cookies are set by services we use, such as analytics providers or advertising networks. These third parties may use the data they collect for their own purposes, which are governed by their own privacy policies. We do not control their data practices, so we encourage you to review the policies of any third-party services we use.

Session and Persistent Cookies

Session cookies expire when you close your browser. They are typically used for temporary functions like maintaining your login state during a single visit. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a period determined by the cookie's settings. We do not specify fixed durations here because they may vary; you can inspect the cookies in your browser settings to see their expiration dates. Persistent cookies are used for preferences and analytics, among other purposes.

Local Storage

In addition to cookies, we may use local storage to save preferences or reading progress. This data stays on your device and is not automatically sent to our servers unless you perform an action that triggers transmission—for example, when you save a bookmark or submit a form. Local storage can be cleared through your browser settings, just like cookies.

Your Choices

Consent and Withdrawal

Where we rely on your consent for non-essential storage, you may give or withhold consent through the cookie banner or consent management tool. You may withdraw optional consent at any time by clearing cookies or using the tool if available. Withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

Browser Controls

Most browsers allow you to view, block, or delete cookies and local storage. You can set your browser to reject all cookies or to alert you when a cookie is being placed. However, disabling essential storage may affect the catalogue's functionality, such as the ability to log in or maintain reading preferences. Instructions for managing cookies are usually found in the browser's help section.

Practical Effects of Disabling Storage

If you disable all cookies and local storage, the catalogue will still serve you public-domain ebooks, but personalised features like saved preferences or reading progress will not persist between visits. Some interactive elements may not work as intended. For example, the reading-mode preference you set will revert to the default each time you visit a new page. Essential functions like logging in may also be affected if you block session cookies.

Updates

This policy may be updated occasionally to reflect changes in the technologies we use or legal requirements. Continued use of the catalogue after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

If you have questions about this Cookie Policy, please contact the Collection Editor at [email protected].