Information We Collect
When you visit the Public Domain Literature Library, our servers automatically record routine information sent by your browser. This may include your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, referring pages, the date and time of each request, and the pages you view. We also collect information that you voluntarily provide, such as when you send a message to editor@ouhna.com or adjust your site preferences.
This data helps us understand how readers interact with our catalogue—for example, which editions of Redcoat Captain: A Story of That Country or The Chronic Loafer attract the most interest, and whether visitors arrive from search engines or direct links. We do not attempt to identify individual users from this routine information unless required by law or in the rare event of a security investigation.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience and understand how the catalogue is used. Where enabled, analytics services may set cookies to track aggregate usage patterns. Advertising services, if displayed, may set third-party cookies and use web beacons to deliver relevant advertisements and measure their performance. You can control cookie settings through your browser or through consent tools provided on the site.
Some cookies are strictly necessary for the site to function—for example, to remember your preference for viewing reading notes or edition insights. Others help us improve the catalogue by showing which pages are most popular, such as the background and themes pages for John Holdsworth, Chief Mate or Shakespeare's Christmas, and other stories. You may disable non-essential cookies without losing access to the library's content.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to operate and maintain the catalogue, to analyse trends and improve our content, to respond to your inquiries, and to tailor advertising where applicable. We do not sell your personal data to third parties. We may share non-personal, aggregate information with analytics or advertising partners.
For instance, we may report that a certain number of readers accessed English Lands, Letters and Kings, vol. 2: From Elizabeth to Anne in a given month, but we never disclose which specific individuals did so. Our editorial decisions—such as which categories to feature, like Exploration Survival Adventure Tales or Historical Psychological Social Fiction—are informed by aggregate usage patterns, not by tracking individual reading habits.
Third-Party Services
We may use third-party services for analytics and advertising. These providers may collect information about your online activities over time and across different websites. Their use of your data is governed by their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review those policies.
Where advertising appears, it may be based on your interests as inferred from your browsing across sites. For example, if you have previously explored historical fiction, you might see advertisements for similar works. We do not control which advertisements are shown or the data practices of ad networks. You can opt out of interest-based advertising through industry tools such as the Digital Advertising Alliance's opt-out page.
Data Retention
We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. Log data is typically retained for a limited period before being anonymised or deleted. Correspondence sent to editor@ouhna.com is kept only as long as needed to address your inquiry and for any follow-up you may request.
Your Choices and Rights
You have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data that we hold. You may also object to or restrict certain processing. To exercise these rights, please contact us at editor@ouhna.com. You can disable cookies through your browser settings, and you can opt out of interest-based advertising through industry opt-out tools.
If you request deletion of your data, we will honour that request unless we are legally required to retain certain information. Please note that deleting data may affect our ability to respond to past inquiries or maintain a consistent user experience.
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 we can take appropriate steps. Our catalogue includes classic literature that may be suitable for younger readers, but we do not target or market to children.
International Access
Our catalogue is accessible from many countries. If you access the site from outside New Zealand, your data may be transferred to 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 any transferred data receives adequate protection in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
Security
We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure. We regularly review our security practices and update them as needed to address emerging threats.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the new policy on this page. Your continued use of the site after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy. We encourage you to review this page periodically for any updates.
Contact
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at editor@ouhna.com. We aim to respond to all inquiries promptly and transparently.