What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device by your web browser when you visit a website. They help the site remember your actions and preferences over time, such as login status or language choice. Other technologies, such as local storage and similar data stores, may also be used for comparable purposes.

How We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar storage technologies for the following purposes:

• Essential storage — to enable core functionality, such as maintaining your session and remembering your cookie consent preferences. These cannot be disabled without affecting site operation.
• Preference storage — to remember choices you make, such as text size or display settings, so you do not need to set them again on each visit. For example, if you select a particular view for a reading companion page, that choice may be stored locally.
• Analytics storage — where enabled, we may use aggregated analytics to understand how readers interact with the catalogue, which pages are most visited, and how the site can be improved. This data is collected in a way that does not personally identify you. We may use a service such as Google Analytics, which sets its own cookies to measure traffic and usage patterns.
• Advertising storage — if advertisements are displayed, we may use Google advertising technologies (such as Google AdSense or Google Ads) to serve relevant ads. These technologies may set cookies to track your browsing activity across websites and build a profile of your interests. We do not control the specific cookies set by Google or its partners. Advertising may be shown on pages such as those discussing historical texts, and the ads you see may reflect your broader browsing habits.

First-Party and Third-Party Cookies

First-party cookies are set by the Modern History Library website itself. They are used for essential and preference storage. Third-party cookies are set by services we use, such as analytics providers or advertising networks. Where Google advertising technologies are employed, Google may place its own cookies on your device, which are subject to Google’s privacy policy. These third parties may also use other tracking technologies, such as web beacons, to collect information about your visits to this and other websites.

Session and Persistent Cookies

Session cookies are temporary and are deleted when you close your browser. They are often used to maintain your session state as you navigate the catalogue. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you manually delete them. The exact duration of persistent cookies varies depending on their purpose and may be updated from time to time. For example, a preference cookie might last for a few months, while an analytics cookie might have a shorter lifespan.

Local Storage

In addition to cookies, we may use local storage (e.g., HTML5 localStorage) to store data such as reading progress or interface preferences. This data remains on your device and is not automatically transmitted to us unless you take an action that sends it (e.g., submitting a form). Local storage is typically persistent and can be cleared through your browser settings.

Your Consent Choices

When you first visit the site, you will be asked to consent to the use of non-essential cookies. You may accept or decline optional categories such as analytics and advertising. Essential cookies do not require consent because they are necessary for the site to function. Your choice is stored in a cookie so that we remember it on subsequent visits. If you change your mind, you can update your preferences using the cookie settings link available on the site.

Withdrawal of Consent

You may withdraw or change your consent at any time by clicking the cookie settings link available on the site. Withdrawing consent will not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal. After withdrawal, the relevant cookies will no longer be set, but existing cookies may remain on your device until they expire or are deleted by you.

Browser Controls

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically block or delete cookies, or configure your browser to notify you when a cookie is set. Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of this and other websites. For example, disabling essential cookies may prevent you from using certain features of the catalogue, such as saving your reading notes or maintaining a session. You can also use private or incognito browsing modes, which automatically delete session cookies when you close the browser.

Practical Effects of Disabling Storage

If you disable all cookies and local storage, the site will still load but may not remember your preferences, session information, or reading progress. Some interactive features may not work as intended. Analytics and advertising will be disabled automatically when their associated storage is blocked. The site will continue to function as a basic catalogue, but personalization and convenience features will be unavailable.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, or our use of cookies. Any changes will be posted on this page, and your continued use of the site after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Contact

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy, please contact the editor at [email protected].