How to Reach Us
We welcome editorial correspondence from readers who use the Historical Engineering Library. Whether you have noticed an error, encountered a technical problem, or wish to discuss the content of a particular work, your observations help us maintain a reliable catalogue.
When to Write
You may wish to contact us for any of the following reasons:
- Metadata corrections — an incorrect title, author name, publication date, or category placement (for example, a book about telegraphy appearing under “Planets & Other Worlds” when it belongs in “Machines & Inventions: Texts & Context”).
- File or reader issues — an ebook that fails to open, displays garbled text, or is unreadable on a particular device or browser.
- Accessibility problems — missing alt text on illustrations, poor contrast, or other barriers that affect screen-reader or keyboard navigation.
- Privacy questions — inquiries about what data we collect, how we handle personal information, or how to request removal of any inadvertently included material.
- Copyright or rights concerns — if you believe a work in the catalogue is not in the public domain in your jurisdiction, or if you hold rights to a text and wish to discuss its inclusion.
- General editorial observations — suggestions for new categories, corrections to the contextual notes that accompany titles such as Wireless Telegraph Construction For Amateurs or Practical Stair Building and Handrailing, or any other thoughtful comment.
What to Include
To help us address your message efficiently, please provide as much of the following as is relevant:
- The exact page URL or web address where you encountered the issue.
- The full title of the ebook (for example, The American Electro Magnetic Telegraph With the Reports of Congress).
- The file format you are using (EPUB, PDF, HTML, plain text, etc.).
- The device, operating system, and browser or reading application (including version numbers if known).
- A clear description of the observed problem — what you expected to happen and what actually occurred.
- If your message concerns copyright or rights, any supporting information you are able to share (such as your relationship to the work or the jurisdiction involved).
Where to Send
Please direct all editorial correspondence to editor@owrun.com. This address is monitored by the catalogue project according to its available bibliographic records and subject scope.
We read every message and take each report seriously. Because the volume of mail varies, we cannot guarantee a specific response time, but we do our best to reply when a reply is warranted.
What Happens After You Write
When your message arrives, we first review it to understand the nature of the report. For metadata corrections, we check the details against reliable sources and update the catalogue entry as needed. If you have reported a file or reader issue, we test the ebook on similar platforms to reproduce the problem and, if confirmed, work to correct the file or provide guidance on alternative formats. Accessibility concerns are prioritised; we review the relevant pages and adjust the markup or add missing descriptive text where possible. For copyright or rights inquiries, we examine the claim carefully and, if warranted, may remove or restrict access to the work in question while we investigate further.
We also welcome suggestions for new categories or improvements to the contextual notes that accompany titles such as Locomotive Engine Running and Management or The Principles of Leather Manufacture. While we cannot implement every suggestion, each one is considered and helps shape the direction of the library.
If your message requires a response, we will reply to the email address you provide. In some cases, we may ask follow-up questions to clarify the issue. Please note that we do not share your personal information with third parties, and we retain correspondence only as long as necessary to address your inquiry.
Thank you for helping us keep the Historical Engineering Library a trustworthy resource for readers everywhere.