Introduction
Modern History Library uses cookies and similar storage technologies to ensure the catalogue functions reliably, to remember your preferences, and, where enabled, to help us understand how readers use the site. This policy explains what these technologies are, how we use them, and the choices you have.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device by your web browser. They allow a site to recognise your device and remember certain information. Cookies can be ‘session’ cookies, which are deleted when you close your browser, or ‘persistent’ cookies, which remain until they expire or you delete them. We may also use local storage, which works similarly but can hold more data and is not automatically sent to the server with every request. This distinction matters: session cookies help with navigation during a single visit, while persistent cookies remember your settings across visits. Local storage, meanwhile, allows us to store larger amounts of data, such as your reading progress or text-size preferences, without repeatedly requesting it from the server.
Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the catalogue to function. They enable core features such as secure browsing, session management, and remembering your cookie consent choice. Because they are essential, they do not require your prior consent. Disabling them may cause parts of the site to behave unexpectedly. For example, without essential cookies, you might not be able to access certain protected pages or your preferences might not be retained during a session. We keep the list of essential cookies to a minimum—typically just one or two that manage your session and consent status.
Preference Cookies
Preference cookies allow the site to remember choices you make, such as your preferred text size, reading mode, or language. These are first-party cookies and are not shared with third parties. We use them only to improve your browsing experience. For instance, if you select a larger font size for reading a work like Mirrors of Moscow or The Irish Guards in the Great War, that preference will be stored so that subsequent pages display in the same size. These cookies are not essential for the site to work, but they make your visit more comfortable.
Analytics (Where Enabled)
Where analytics are enabled, we may use a first-party analytics tool to collect anonymous information about how visitors interact with the site—for example, which catalogue pages are most frequently viewed, how long readers stay, and what search terms are used. This data helps us understand which works and categories interest our readers and allows us to improve the catalogue. No personally identifiable information is collected. Analytics cookies are optional; you can disable them via your browser or our consent controls. The aggregated reports we receive show trends—such as which reading companions or background essays are popular—but never identify individual readers.
Advertising (Where Ads Are Displayed)
When advertisements are displayed on the site, we may use Google advertising technologies, including Google AdSense, which may place cookies on your device. These cookies enable Google to serve ads based on your visits to this site and other sites across the internet. They may also be used to measure the effectiveness of ads and to prevent the same ad from appearing too often. Google uses both first-party and third-party cookies for these purposes. For more details, see Google’s Privacy & Terms site. Advertising cookies are optional; you can opt out of personalised advertising by visiting the Google Ads Settings page or by using our consent management tool where available. Please note that even if you opt out of personalised advertising, you may still see non-personalised ads based on the content of the page you are viewing.
Third-Party Cookies
Some content or features on the site may be provided by third parties, such as embedded media players or social sharing buttons. These third parties 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. For example, if we embed a video from a hosting platform, that platform may place cookies to track video views or remember your preferences. We try to minimise such third-party integrations, but where they exist, we encourage you to review the relevant policies.
Your Consent and Choices
When you first visit the site, we may present a cookie consent notice that allows you to accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by adjusting your browser settings or, where available, using the consent management tool provided on the site. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies and to set preferences for specific sites. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the catalogue. For instance, if you block essential cookies, you may not be able to log in or maintain your session.
Withdrawal of Optional Consent
If you have previously consented to non-essential cookies and wish to withdraw that consent, you can do so by clearing cookies in your browser settings or by using the consent management tool (if displayed). Withdrawal will not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal. It may take a short time for the changes to take effect across all pages.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, or our practices. Any changes will be posted on this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies and similar technologies.
Contact
If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy, please contact the catalogue [email protected].