Our Use of Cookies and Similar Technologies
This page explains how the Public Domain Literature Library (afufo.com) uses cookies, local storage, and similar technologies. We use these tools to make the site work reliably, to remember your choices, and, where you have consented, to understand how the catalogue is used or to show relevant advertising. This policy applies to all visitors, whether or not you have created an account.
What Are Cookies?
A cookie is a small text file stored on your device by your web browser. Cookies can be set by the site you are visiting (first-party cookies) or by other services whose features we have integrated (third-party cookies). Some cookies are deleted when you close your browser (session cookies); others remain for a period set by the provider (persistent cookies). We do not assign fixed durations here because those may change; you can inspect individual cookie durations in your browser’s developer tools.
Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the catalogue to function. They allow you to navigate between pages, save your session, and maintain security. Without them, features such as browsing categories or accessing your reading list would not work. Essential cookies are always active and do not require your consent.
- Session identifier – a temporary token that keeps you logged in or remembers your current visit.
- CSRF protection token – a security measure that prevents cross-site request forgery.
Preference Cookies
We may store your preferences, such as your chosen display language, text size, or whether you have dismissed a notice. These cookies improve your experience but are not strictly essential. Where we use them, they are first-party and typically persistent.
Analytics (Where Enabled)
If you have consented, we use a privacy-respecting analytics service to collect aggregated, non-identifying data about how visitors use the catalogue. This helps us understand which works are most popular, how readers navigate categories such as Adventure Picaresque Fiction or Historical Psychological Social Fiction, and whether any pages are difficult to use. Analytics cookies are first-party where possible; if a third-party service is used, we ensure data is anonymised.
Advertising (Where Ads Are Displayed)
We may display advertisements to support the operation of the library. Where ads are shown, we use Google’s advertising technologies, including Google AdSense or Google Ad Manager. These services may place third-party cookies on your device to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant ads across the web. You can learn more about how Google uses data at policies.google.com/technologies/ads. We do not control the specific cookies set by Google; you can manage your ad preferences through Google’s Ads Settings.
Local Storage
In addition to cookies, we may use local storage (also called DOM storage) to keep small amounts of data on your device, such as a reading progress indicator or a list of recently viewed titles. Local storage is not sent to our server automatically; it stays on your device unless you clear it.
Your Consent Choices
When you first visit the site, you will see a banner asking you to accept or decline cookies that are not essential. You may:
- Accept all – consent to analytics and advertising cookies (where enabled).
- Reject non-essential – allow only essential and preference cookies.
- Customise – choose separately for analytics and advertising categories.
You can change your choice at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link in the site footer. Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal.
Browser Controls
Most browsers let you view, block, or delete cookies on a per-site basis. You can also set your browser to reject all cookies, but this may break essential functions of the catalogue. Instructions are usually found in the “Help” or “Privacy” section of your browser. For mobile devices, similar controls exist in the browser settings.
Practical Effects of Disabling Storage
If you disable all cookies and local storage, you will still be able to browse public-domain works such as Shakespeare’s Roman Plays and Their Background or Japanese Plays and Playfellows, but features like persistent login, reading lists, and personalised recommendations will not work. You may also see repeated consent banners.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the date at the top of this page. We encourage you to check back occasionally.