Information We Collect
When you visit the Historical Social Sciences Library, our servers automatically record routine log data. This may include your IP address, browser type and version, device identifiers, the pages you view, the date and time of your visit, and the referring website. We collect this information for the operation and security of the catalogue and to understand general usage patterns.
Information You Provide Voluntarily
If you contact us via email or through a contact form, we receive the content of your message and any information you choose to share. We use this only to respond to your inquiry. We do not sell or share this information for marketing purposes.
Site Preferences
We may store certain preferences you set while browsing, such as text size or display options, using local storage or similar technologies. This information stays on your device and is not transmitted to us unless you actively send it.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience and analyse site traffic. Where enabled, we may use analytics services (such as Google Analytics) that set cookies to collect aggregated data about how visitors use the site. These cookies may record your IP address, but we do not link that data to your identity. If advertising is displayed, third-party ad networks may place cookies on your device to serve relevant ads based on your browsing activity. You can control cookies through your browser settings.
Third-Party Cookies
Some pages may embed content from external services (e.g., video players or social sharing buttons). These services may set their own cookies. We do not control those cookies, and we encourage you to review the privacy policies of those third parties.
Web Beacons
Emails we send (if any) may contain a single, invisible pixel that tells us whether the email was opened. This helps us measure communication effectiveness. You can disable images in your email client to prevent this.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- To operate, maintain, and improve the catalogue.
- To analyse trends and administer the site.
- To detect and prevent fraud or abuse.
- To respond to your inquiries.
- To comply with legal obligations.
Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell your personal information. We may share aggregated, anonymised data with third parties for analytics or research. We may disclose information if required by law, or in the good-faith belief that such action is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of our users or the public.
Service Providers
We may engage trusted third-party service providers to perform functions on our behalf, such as hosting, analytics, or email delivery. These providers have access to personal information only as needed to perform their services and are contractually bound to protect it.
Data Security
We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to safeguard information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Data Retention
We retain personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law. Log data is typically retained for a limited period and then deleted or anonymised.
Your Choices and Rights
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies. If you disable cookies, some features of the catalogue may not function properly.
Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your personal data, including the right to access, correct, delete, or port your data. You may also have the right to object to or restrict certain processing. To exercise these rights, please contact us at the email address below.
Children's Privacy
Our catalogue is intended for a general audience. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that a child has provided us with personal data, we will take steps to delete it.
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 read the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
International Access
The catalogue is hosted in the United States. If you access it from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States. By using the catalogue, you consent to such transfer.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page. Your continued use of the catalogue after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.
Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact the catalogue project at [email protected].