How We Use Cookies and Similar Technologies
Biography & Memoir Archive uses cookies, local storage, and similar technologies to support the operation of the catalogue, to remember your preferences, and to understand how readers engage with our pages. This policy explains what these technologies are, how we use them, and the choices you have.
Essential Storage
Certain cookies and local storage items are strictly necessary for the site to function. These may store a session identifier, remember your cookie consent choice, or maintain the technical state of your visit. Without these, features such as navigating between catalogue entries or saving your reading preferences would not work. Essential storage does not require your prior consent and is always active.
Preference and Functional Storage
We may store your preferences, such as the text size you select or the way you choose to view catalogue listings. This information is kept on your device and is used only to improve your experience. Where we use local storage for these purposes, it remains on your device unless you clear it through your browser settings.
Analytics
Where analytics are enabled, we use first-party cookies and local storage to collect anonymised information about how visitors use the catalogue. This includes which pages are viewed most often, how users navigate between sections, and general geographic trends. The data we collect cannot identify you personally. We use this information solely to improve the catalogue’s structure and content. You may opt out of analytics storage through your browser controls or by adjusting your cookie consent preferences if a consent tool is displayed.
Advertising
We do not serve advertising ourselves. However, some pages may display advertisements provided by Google and its partners. Where ads are displayed, Google may use cookies and other storage technologies to serve ads based on your visits to this site and other websites. These may include third-party cookies for ad measurement and personalisation. The use of such technologies is subject to Google’s own privacy and cookie policies. You can manage your ad preferences through Google’s ad settings or by visiting aboutads.info (this link is provided for informational purposes and is not part of our site).
First-Party and Third-Party Cookies
First-party cookies are set by this site (osiav.com) and are used only for the purposes described above. Third-party cookies may be set by Google or other service providers when ads are displayed. These third parties have their own cookie policies. We do not control the use of third-party cookies and recommend you review their policies for further information.
Session and Persistent Storage
Some cookies and local storage items are session-based, meaning they are deleted when you close your browser. Others are persistent and remain on your device for a period determined by the technology. The exact duration varies and is not fixed by us. Persistent storage may be used to remember your preferences across visits.
Local Storage
In addition to cookies, we may use local storage (sometimes called DOM storage) to store data on your device. This is similar to cookies but can hold more information and is not automatically sent to our server with every request. We use local storage for preferences and, where enabled, for analytics. You can clear local storage through your browser’s developer tools or settings.
Your Choices and Withdrawal of Consent
When you first visit the site, you may be presented with a consent notice that allows you to accept or decline non-essential storage. You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link in the footer of our pages (if displayed). Alternatively, you can configure your browser to block or delete cookies and local storage. Most browsers provide controls to manage these technologies under their settings or privacy menus. Please note that disabling essential storage may prevent the catalogue from functioning correctly.
Practical Effects of Disabling Storage
If you choose to disable all cookies and local storage, you may still browse the catalogue, but certain features may be unavailable. For example, your reading preferences may not be saved between visits, and you may see the consent notice on every page. Analytics and personalised advertising will not function if you block the relevant storage.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page. Your continued use of the catalogue after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact
If you have questions about our use of cookies, you may contact our bibliographic consultant at editor@osiav.com.