What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device by your web browser when you visit a site. They help the site remember your actions and preferences over time. Similar technologies, such as local storage and web beacons, may also be used where described below.
How We Use Storage
We use cookies and local storage for several purposes, depending on how you interact with the catalogue. Some storage is essential for the site to function; others are optional and used only where you have consented or where enabled by your browser settings.
Essential Storage
Certain cookies are necessary for the operation of the catalogue. These include session cookies that maintain your reading selections and preferences during a visit, and security tokens that prevent unauthorised access. Without these, the site cannot function properly. Essential storage does not require your consent but cannot be used to track you across other sites.
Preference Storage
Where you choose to customise your experience—such as remembering your preferred text size, layout, or filtering options—we may store those choices in persistent cookies or local storage. This is purely for your convenience and is not used for analytics or advertising.
Analytics Storage (Where Enabled)
We may use first-party analytics tools to understand how readers interact with the catalogue, such as which pages are visited most often and how users navigate between sections. Where enabled, this storage collects anonymised aggregate data. No personally identifiable information is recorded. You can opt out of analytics storage through your browser settings or by adjusting your consent preferences where a consent mechanism is provided.
Advertising Storage (Where Ads Are Displayed)
Some pages of the catalogue may display advertisements served by Google or other third-party ad networks. Where ads are shown, Google may use cookies and web beacons to serve ads based on your prior visits to this site or other sites. This is known as interest-based advertising. The information collected is used to make ads more relevant to you. You can learn more about Google’s advertising technologies and opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google’s Ads Settings. We do not control the specific cookies set by Google or other ad networks; their use is governed by the respective third-party privacy policies.
First-Party and Third-Party Cookies
First-party cookies are set by the catalogue itself and are used only for essential functions and preference storage. Third-party cookies are set by services we may use, such as analytics providers or advertising networks (where ads are displayed). These third parties have their own privacy policies and may use the data they collect for their own purposes, subject to your choices.
Session and Persistent Cookies
Session cookies are temporary and expire when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a period determined by the cookie’s expiration setting, or until you delete them. We do not set fixed durations for persistent cookies beyond what is necessary for the purpose; typical durations range from a few days to a few months.
Local Storage
In addition to cookies, we may use local storage (such as HTML5 localStorage) to store preferences or cached data on your device. Local storage is not automatically cleared when you close your browser and can be managed through your browser’s settings.
Your Choices
Consent and Withdrawal
For optional cookies (analytics and advertising where enabled), we may request your consent before placing them. Where a consent banner or preference centre is provided, you can accept or decline categories of cookies. You may withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your preferences through the same mechanism, or by clearing cookies and local storage via your browser settings.
Browser Controls
Most browsers allow you to view, block, or delete cookies and local storage. You can also set your browser to notify you when a cookie is set. Please note that disabling essential storage may impair the functionality of the catalogue, such as the ability to save reading preferences or maintain your session.
Do Not Track
Some browsers support a Do Not Track (DNT) signal. We do not currently respond to DNT signals, but we respect your cookie consent choices as described above.
Practical Effects of Disabling Storage
If you disable all cookies and local storage, the catalogue will still load, but certain features may not work. For example, you may not be able to save your reading progress, your preferred display settings may reset each visit, and you may see the same consent notice repeatedly. Disabling advertising cookies will not stop ads from appearing, but the ads you see may be less relevant to your interests.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, regulation, or our practices. Any changes will be posted on this page.
Contact
If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact the catalogue project at [email protected].