Our Use of Cookies and Similar Technologies
Historical Cookbooks & Home Library (alwak.com) uses cookies, local storage, and similar technologies to help the site work properly, to remember your preferences, to understand how visitors use the catalogue, and—where you have consented—to show relevant advertising. This policy explains what these technologies are, why we use them, and how you can control them.
What Are Cookies?
A cookie is a small text file stored on your device by your web browser. Cookies may be set by the site you are visiting (first-party cookies) or by other domains that provide services we use (third-party cookies). Some cookies are deleted when you close your browser (session cookies); others remain on your device for a period set by the cookie’s creator (persistent cookies). We may also use local storage, which works similarly but can store larger amounts of data and is not automatically sent to the server with every request.
Essential and Functional Cookies
Certain cookies are strictly necessary for the operation of the catalogue. They enable you to browse the site, search for titles, and access public-domain texts. Without these cookies, some parts of the site may not function correctly. These cookies do not require your prior consent.
- Session management: We use a session cookie to keep you logged in if you choose to create an account or to maintain your reading list across pages.
- Technical stability: We may set a cookie to remember your preference for text size or display mode (such as night reading) during your visit.
Preference and Functionality Cookies
We use cookies to remember choices you make, such as your preferred language or region, and to provide enhanced features. For example, if you set a bookmark or note on a public-domain work, a cookie or local storage entry may store that information so it reappears on your next visit. These cookies are not essential but improve your experience.
Analytics and Performance
Where enabled, we use analytics services (such as Google Analytics) to collect anonymous information about how visitors use the catalogue—which pages are most popular, how users navigate between sections, and whether any pages encounter errors. This data helps us improve the site and understand which historical cookbooks and guides are of greatest interest. Analytics cookies are set only if you have consented via our cookie notice. We do not allow analytics providers to combine this data with other information they may have about you.
Advertising and Marketing
If advertising is displayed on the catalogue, we may use Google advertising technologies (including Google AdSense and Google Marketing Platform) to serve relevant ads. These technologies may set cookies on your device to build a profile of your interests, limit the number of times you see an ad, and measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns. Third-party vendors, including Google, may use cookies to serve ads based on your previous visits to this site and other websites. You can opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google’s Ads Settings or by using the controls described below. Advertising cookies are set only where you have given consent.
Third-Party Cookies
Some of the services we use (such as analytics and advertising providers) may set their own cookies on your device. We do not control these cookies, and you should check the privacy policies of those third parties for more information. The following categories of third-party cookies may be used on this site:
- Analytics: Google Analytics (if you have consented).
- Advertising: Google AdSense and related Google advertising services (if ads are displayed and you have consented).
Your Choices and How to Withdraw Consent
When you first visit the catalogue, a cookie notice appears asking for your consent to set non-essential cookies. You can accept all, reject all, or customise your preferences. You may withdraw or change your consent at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link available in the footer of every page. You can also manage cookies directly through your browser settings:
- Most browsers allow you to block or delete all cookies.
- You can configure your browser to accept only first-party cookies or to prompt you before a cookie is set.
- Blocking essential cookies may prevent some parts of the catalogue from functioning properly, such as logging in or saving your reading preferences.
- You can disable local storage through your browser’s developer tools or privacy settings, but doing so may affect features like notes and bookmarks.
For more information about controlling cookies, visit your browser’s help pages or sites such as aboutcookies.org.
Local Storage
In addition to cookies, we may use local storage (also called DOM storage) to store data on your device. Local storage is used for similar purposes as cookies—for example, to remember your reading progress on a particular public-domain text or to keep your customised book list. Local storage is not automatically transmitted to our servers and can be cleared through your browser settings.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the policy and note that it has been updated. We encourage you to review this page periodically for any changes.
Contact
If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies and similar technologies, please contact us at editor@alwak.com.