What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device by your web browser. They help the Historical Engineering Library remember your preferences, understand how you use the catalogue, and, where enabled, support advertising. This policy explains the types of storage we use and how you can control them.
Essential Storage
Certain cookies are necessary for the catalogue to function. These include session cookies that keep you logged in while you browse and persistent cookies that remember your choice to dismiss a notification or set a reading preference. Essential storage does not require your consent, but you can block them through browser settings; doing so may break parts of the site.
Preference Cookies
We store your display choices—such as text size, reading mode, or category filters—in persistent cookies so that your selections persist across visits. These are first-party cookies set by owrun.com. You may withdraw consent for non-essential preference cookies at any time by clearing your browser’s cookies for this site.
Analytics Where Enabled
Where analytics are enabled, we use first-party cookies to collect anonymous information about page visits, such as which catalogue entries are viewed and how users navigate between categories like “Machines & Inventions” or “Civil Engineering.” This data helps us improve the library. No personal identifiers are stored. You can opt out of analytics cookies by adjusting your browser settings or using the consent controls available on the site.
Advertising Where Enabled
If advertising is displayed on the catalogue, we may use third-party cookies from Google advertising services. These cookies help show relevant ads based on your browsing activity and measure ad performance. Google may use additional cookies for frequency capping and fraud detection. We do not control the specific cookies placed by Google. You can manage Google’s ad preferences at adssettings.google.com or opt out via the Your Ad Choices program. Advertising cookies are non-essential; you may disable them without affecting your ability to read ebooks.
Local Storage
In addition to cookies, we may use local storage in your browser to cache ebook metadata or reading progress. This data stays on your device and is not automatically sent to our servers. You can clear local storage through your browser’s developer tools or privacy settings.
Third-Party Cookies
Third-party cookies may be set by Google advertising technologies where ads are displayed. These cookies are subject to Google’s privacy policy. We do not permit other third-party tracking on the catalogue.
Session and Persistent Cookies
Session cookies expire when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a period determined by the cookie itself or until you delete them. We do not specify fixed durations because cookie lifetimes can vary based on browser and settings.
Consent Choices
When you first visit the catalogue, you may see a consent notice for non-essential cookies. You can accept or decline categories such as analytics and advertising. Your choice is stored in a persistent cookie. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the “Cookie Preferences” link in the site footer (where available) or by clearing your cookies and reloading the page.
Withdrawal of Optional Consent
If you previously consented to analytics or advertising cookies, you can withdraw consent by updating your preferences or deleting the relevant cookies. Withdrawal will not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.
Browser Controls
Most browsers allow you to view, block, or delete cookies. You can typically find these controls in the “Privacy” or “Settings” menu. Blocking all cookies may disable essential features of the catalogue, such as login or reading preferences. For detailed guidance, consult your browser’s help documentation.
Practical Effects of Disabling Storage
If you disable cookies entirely, the catalogue will still serve public-domain ebooks, but you may need to re-enter preferences each visit. Some interactive features, such as bookmarking or saving reading progress, may not work. Disabling only analytics or advertising cookies will have no noticeable effect on your reading experience.
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy, contact the Senior Editor at editor@owrun.com.