Our Use of Cookies and Similar Technologies
This policy explains how the Public Domain Literature Library (hovui.com) uses cookies, local storage, and similar technologies to provide, secure, and improve our independent ebook catalogue. We respect your privacy and offer you choices where appropriate.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device by your web browser. They help websites remember information about your visit, such as your preferences or login status. Other technologies, such as local storage, perform similar functions. We refer to all these technologies collectively as “storage.”
Types of Storage We Use
We use the following categories of storage on our site:
- Essential Storage: Required for the site to function. These enable core features such as session management, security, and basic navigation. Without them, the site cannot operate properly.
- Preference Storage: Remembers choices you make, such as text size, display preferences, or language, so you do not have to set them each time you visit.
- Analytics Storage (where enabled): Helps us understand how visitors interact with our catalogue—which pages are popular, how users navigate, and what improvements may be helpful. We use aggregated, anonymized data for this purpose.
- Advertising Storage (where ads are displayed): If we display advertisements, we may use cookies from Google and other third-party ad providers to deliver relevant ads, measure ad performance, and prevent the same ad from appearing too often. These technologies may also help advertisers show you ads based on your browsing activity across other sites.
First-Party and Third-Party Storage
First-party storage is set directly by our site. Third-party storage is set by services we use, such as analytics providers or advertising networks. For example, where we display ads, Google may set cookies via its advertising technologies. We do not control how third parties use their own storage; we encourage you to review their privacy policies.
Session and Persistent Storage
Some storage we use is session-based, meaning it is erased when you close your browser. Other storage is persistent, remaining on your device for a period or until you delete it. We do not specify fixed durations because they may vary by technology and purpose.
Your Choices and Consent
When you first visit our site, you may see a notice asking for your consent to non-essential storage (such as analytics and advertising). You can accept or decline. If you decline, only essential storage will be used. You can change your preferences at any time by adjusting your cookie settings through the consent tool available on our site.
You may also withdraw consent for optional storage by clearing your browser’s cookies and local storage, or by using the consent tool. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.
Browser Controls
Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies and local storage. You can typically find these controls in your browser’s settings or privacy menu. Please note that disabling certain storage may affect the functionality of our site, including the ability to access your account or maintain your preferences.
Practical Effects of Disabling Storage
If you disable essential storage, our site may not work as intended. If you disable preference storage, your choices may not be remembered. If you disable analytics storage, we will not be able to gather usage data to improve the catalogue. If you disable advertising storage, you may still see ads, but they may be less relevant to you.
Changes 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 Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact our Associate Editor at [email protected].
More About Our Practices
We believe in transparency about the technologies that make our site work. For instance, when you read a reading companion like The trail of deception — Themes and Context or Space Platform — Text and Context, we may use analytics storage to understand which sections are most helpful, so we can improve future content. Similarly, preference storage ensures that your chosen text size or display settings are retained across visits, making your experience with titles like Russian essays and stories — Edition Insights more comfortable.
If advertising is displayed, third-party storage may be used to tailor ads based on your interests. For example, if you have previously explored speculative fiction titles such as Tales of Space and Time — A Reader’s Guide, you might see ads for similar works. You have control over this through your consent choices.
We do not use storage for purposes other than those described here. Our commitment to your privacy means we regularly review the technologies we employ to ensure they align with our editorial mission.