Our Use of Cookies and Similar Technologies
This page explains how the Public Domain Literature Library (accessible at qapoe.com) uses cookies, local storage, and similar technologies. We are committed to transparency about the data practices that support our independent digital catalogue.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by your web browser when you visit a website. They help the site remember your preferences, understand how you interact with the site, and in some cases deliver relevant content. Other technologies, such as local storage, work similarly to store data on your device for later use.
Categories of Storage We Use
Essential (Strictly Necessary) Storage
Certain cookies and local storage items are required for the basic operation of our catalogue. These enable core functions such as remembering your session, maintaining your selections, and ensuring secure access to any private areas. Without these, the site cannot function properly. Essential storage does not require your prior consent.
Preference Storage
We use cookies and local storage to remember choices you make, such as your preferred text size, display settings, or language. This allows us to provide a more personalised experience. Where we rely on your consent for non-essential preferences, you may withdraw that consent at any time.
Analytics Storage (Where Enabled)
With your consent, we may use analytics services to collect anonymised information about how visitors use our catalogue. This helps us understand which books and reading notes are most popular, how users navigate the site, and where improvements can be made. These tools typically use first-party cookies and may share aggregated data with the analytics provider. You may opt out of analytics storage through our consent management tool.
Advertising Storage (Where Ads Are Displayed)
If you see advertisements on our site, we may use cookies and similar technologies to deliver those ads and measure their effectiveness. This may include Google advertising technologies, such as Google AdSense or Google Ad Manager, which use cookies to serve ads based on your visits to this and other sites. These are third-party cookies subject to Google’s privacy policy. Where advertising storage is used, we obtain your consent before placing non-essential ad cookies. You can withdraw consent or manage your preferences at any time.
First-Party and Third-Party Cookies
First-party cookies are set by the Public Domain Literature Library itself. Third-party cookies are set by domains other than qapoe.com, such as analytics providers or advertising networks. We do not control the data practices of third parties, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies.
Session and Persistent Storage
Some cookies and local storage items are temporary and expire when you close your browser (session storage). Others remain on your device for a longer period (persistent storage) to remember your preferences across visits. The exact duration varies by purpose and is determined by the technology provider. You can clear persistent storage through your browser settings.
Local Storage
In addition to cookies, we may use local storage (sometimes called DOM storage) to store data directly on your device. This can improve performance and enable features like offline reading of certain content. Local storage is not automatically sent to our servers and is under your browser’s control.
Your Choices and Consent
When you first visit our site, you will be presented with a cookie consent notice that allows you to accept or decline non-essential storage categories. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link in the footer of our website. Withdrawing consent for optional storage may affect some features, but you will still be able to access and read our catalogue.
Browser Controls
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies and local storage through their settings. You can block or delete all cookies, restrict storage to specific sites, or set your browser to notify you when a cookie is set. Please note that disabling essential storage may prevent parts of our site from working correctly. Instructions for managing storage are usually found in your browser’s help section.
Practical Effects of Disabling Storage
If you disable all cookies and local storage, you may lose preferences such as text size or display settings. Some interactive features, such as reading notes or bookmarks, may not function as intended. However, the core catalogue and reading content will remain accessible.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. Any changes will be posted on this page, and where appropriate, we will notify you through the site.
Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this policy, please contact our Anthology Editor, David Lewis, at [email protected].