How We Use Cookies and Similar Technologies
Public Domain Literature Library (rorqo.com) uses cookies, local storage, and similar technologies to provide and improve our digital catalogue of classic literature. This policy explains what these technologies are, how we use them, and how you can manage your choices.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device by your web browser. They allow a website to remember your actions or preferences over time. Most cookies we use are “session cookies,” which expire when you close your browser, and “persistent cookies,” which remain until they expire or you delete them. We do not specify fixed durations because they may vary. Similarly, local storage and other client-side storage mechanisms serve analogous purposes but may store larger amounts of data and are not automatically cleared when the browser closes.
Essential Cookies
Certain cookies are necessary for the basic operation of the catalogue. These include cookies that enable secure log-in, maintain your session, and remember your privacy preferences. Without these, certain features—such as saving books to your reading list—may not work correctly. Essential cookies do not require your prior consent. They are set automatically when you interact with the site in ways that require them.
Preference Cookies
We use preference cookies to remember choices you make, such as your preferred text display size, reading theme (light or dark mode), or language selection. These cookies enhance your experience but are not strictly necessary for the site to function. For example, if you select a larger font size for a title like Little Women; Or, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy — Context and Discussion, that preference is stored locally to apply on subsequent visits.
Analytics Cookies (Where Enabled)
We may use analytics cookies to understand how visitors interact with the catalogue—for example, which books are most frequently accessed, how pages are navigated, and whether errors occur. This information helps us improve the site. Where analytics are enabled, we use aggregated, anonymised data. You can opt out of these cookies through your browser settings or our consent management tool. Analytics are not used to identify you personally; they simply help us see which sections, such as the Battles and Military History: Sources & Perspectives category, attract the most interest.
Advertising Cookies (Where Ads Are Displayed)
If advertisements are displayed on the catalogue, we may use Google advertising technologies, including cookies, to deliver relevant ads and measure their performance. These cookies may track your browsing across websites to build a profile of your interests. Advertising cookies are third-party cookies set by Google or its partners. We conditionally enable these services only where you have given your consent. You may withdraw consent at any time. When ads are present, they help support the ongoing curation of our catalogue, including detailed guides like Lord Tony's Wife: An Adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel — A Reader’s Guide.
Third-Party Cookies
Some features of the catalogue may rely on third-party services (such as embedded video players or social media sharing buttons) that set their own cookies. We do not control these cookies. You should review the privacy policies of those third parties for more information. For example, if you choose to share a link to Gullible's Travels, Etc. — Background and Themes on a social platform, that platform may set cookies independently.
Local Storage
In addition to cookies, we may use local storage in your browser to store data such as reading progress or recently viewed books. This data remains on your device and is not automatically transmitted to our servers. Local storage allows us to remember, for instance, where you left off in Airy Fairy Lilian — Background and Themes across sessions.
Managing Your Choices
You have control over cookies and similar technologies:
- Browser settings: Most browsers allow you to view, block, or delete cookies. You can set your browser to reject all cookies or to alert you when a cookie is set. However, blocking essential cookies may impair the catalogue’s functionality.
- Consent management: Where analytics or advertising cookies are used, we provide a consent tool that lets you accept or reject those categories. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link available on the site.
- Withdrawal of consent: If you previously consented to optional cookies, you may withdraw that consent through the same tool. Withdrawal will not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.
Practical Effects of Disabling Storage
If you disable all cookies and local storage, you may still browse the catalogue, but certain features—such as persistent reading lists, personalised recommendations, and saved preferences—will not be available. The site will still function in a basic capacity, allowing you to read works like The Land of Frozen Suns: A Novel without interruption, but without the convenience of remembering your place.
Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page. We encourage you to review it periodically.
Contact
If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact our Associate Editor, Mary Gaskell, at [email protected].