Information We Receive Automatically
When you visit Modern History Library, our servers record routine technical information: your IP address, the type of browser and device you use, the pages you view, the date and time of each request, and the referring website if one was used. This data is collected for every visitor and is necessary for the basic operation of the catalogue, including diagnosing technical problems and protecting against misuse.
Information You Voluntarily Provide
You may choose to send us a message through the contact address listed on the site. If you do, we receive the contents of your message and the email address you provide. We use this only to respond to your inquiry and do not add it to any marketing list. You may also set preferences for how the catalogue displays content; these are stored on your device unless you clear them.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
We use cookies—small text files stored by your browser—to remember your preferences and to enable certain features. For example, a cookie may keep your category selection active during a session. Where enabled, we also use analytics services that set cookies to help us understand how the catalogue is used, such as which titles are most frequently viewed. If advertising is displayed, third-party advertising networks may place cookies or web beacons to deliver relevant ads and measure their performance. These technologies are used only with your consent where required by law.
Analytics and Advertising
We may use a web analytics service to collect aggregated information about site usage. This service receives anonymised data and does not identify individual readers. If Google advertising services are displayed, Google may use cookies to serve ads based on your visits to this and other websites. You can learn more about Google’s practices and opt out of certain advertising cookies by visiting the Google Ads Settings page. We do not control the cookies set by third-party advertisers.
How We Use Your Information
We process personal data for the following purposes: to operate and improve the catalogue, to respond to your communications, to analyse usage trends, to prevent abuse, and where advertising is enabled, to facilitate the delivery of relevant advertisements. We do not sell your personal information to anyone.
Service Providers
We may engage a limited number of service providers (such as hosting and analytics companies) who have access to personal data only as necessary to perform their functions. They are contractually obliged to protect your data and may not use it for any other purpose.
Data Security
We take reasonable measures to protect your personal data from unauthorised access, alteration, or destruction. However, no internet transmission or storage system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Data Retention
We retain server logs for a period necessary for operational analysis and security, after which they are deleted or anonymised. Emails and other voluntary communications are kept only as long as needed to address your request. Preference cookies persist until you clear them or until they expire.
Your Choices and Rights
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies, and to indicate your preference regarding tracking. If you disable cookies, some features of the catalogue may not function as intended. Where consent is required for analytics or advertising cookies, you may withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your preferences on our cookie consent tool. Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, or delete personal data we hold about you. To exercise these rights, please contact us using the email address provided on the site.
Children’s Privacy
Modern History Library is not directed at children, and 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 promptly.
External Links
The catalogue may contain links to third-party websites. This privacy policy does not apply to those sites, and we are not responsible for their data practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external sites you visit.
International Access
This site is operated from Global Operations. If you access it from outside Global Operations, your data may be transferred to and processed in Global Operations or other countries where our service providers operate. By using the catalogue, you acknowledge that your information may be transferred to countries with different data protection laws. We will take appropriate steps to ensure that your data receives an adequate level of protection.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and if the changes are significant, we will provide a more prominent notice. Your continued use of the catalogue after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.