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, operating system, referring page, the pages you view, and the time and date of each request. We also collect device information such as screen resolution and language settings where your browser shares them.

If you choose to send us a message using the contact link, we receive the content of your message and the email address you provide. We do not require you to create an account or provide personal information to browse the catalogue. You may also choose to subscribe to any newsletter or notification service if offered; in that case, we will collect your email address and preferences.

Site Preferences and Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to store your site preferences, such as text size or display options, so that your choices persist across visits. These are functional cookies and do not track you beyond this site. Some cookies are session-based and expire when you close your browser; others are persistent and remain until deleted or expired.

Where enabled, we may use analytics services that set their own cookies to collect aggregated, non-personal information about how visitors use the site. This helps us understand which editions and categories are most popular and improve our catalogue. For example, we may learn that readers frequently explore categories such as Childhood Classics or Maritime Adventures, and we can tailor our editorial focus accordingly.

If displayed, advertisements on this site may be served by third-party advertising networks, including Google. These networks may use cookies and web beacons to deliver ads based on your previous visits to this and other websites. This is known as interest-based advertising. We do not control these third-party cookies, and their use is subject to the privacy policies of the respective providers. You may opt out of interest-based advertising through industry tools.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To operate, maintain, and improve the website and its content.
• To understand how readers interact with the catalogue and to analyse usage trends, such as which titles like The Box-Car Children or The Corsican Brothers receive the most attention.
• To respond to your inquiries when you contact us.
• To detect, prevent, and address technical issues or abuse.
• Where advertising is displayed, to support the continued availability of free public-domain literature.

Data Sharing and Service Providers

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We may share non-personal, aggregated data publicly or with partners for analytical purposes. For instance, we might report that a certain category is particularly popular, without identifying individual users.

We engage limited service providers who may have access to your data solely to perform services on our behalf, such as hosting, analytics, or email handling. These providers are contractually bound to use the data only for the specified purposes and to protect its confidentiality. We require them to implement appropriate security measures.

Your Choices

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies, and to opt out of interest-based advertising. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect site functionality, such as the persistence of your display preferences.

For Google advertising cookies, you may opt out by visiting the Google Ads Settings page or by using the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out tool. You can also adjust your browser's privacy settings to limit tracking.

You may request that we remove any personal information you have voluntarily provided (such as your email address) by contacting us. We will honour such requests where feasible and consistent with our operational needs. We will also provide you with a copy of the data we hold about you upon request.

Data Retention

We retain server logs and analytics data for a period necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this policy, after which they are securely deleted or anonymised. Retention periods are determined based on operational requirements and legal obligations, and are not fixed arbitrarily. Typically, log data is retained for a few months, while analytics aggregates may be kept longer in anonymised form.

Security

We take reasonable measures to protect the data we collect from loss, misuse, and unauthorised access. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. We use encryption where appropriate and restrict access to personal data to authorised personnel only.

International Access

This site is operated from New Zealand. If you access it from outside New Zealand, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in New Zealand or other jurisdictions where our service providers operate. By using the site, you consent to such transfer. We take steps to ensure that data transferred is protected in accordance with this policy.

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 that we can review and delete it. Our catalogue is intended for a general audience, and we encourage parents to supervise their children's online activities.

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 their privacy policies before providing any personal information. This includes links to editions or resources hosted elsewhere.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page, and your continued use of the site after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. We will notify you of material changes through a notice on the site.

Contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, please contact the Collection Editor at [email protected]. We will respond to your inquiry within a reasonable timeframe.