Our Use of Cookies and Similar Technologies
Art & Architecture Library (accessible at abioc.com) uses cookies, local storage, and similar technologies to support the operation of the catalogue, to remember your preferences, and, where enabled, to understand how visitors interact with the site. This policy explains what these technologies are, how we use them, and the choices you have.
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 (third-party cookies). Some cookies are deleted when you close your browser (session cookies); others remain for a longer period (persistent cookies). Local storage works similarly but can hold more data and is not automatically cleared. Cookies serve various purposes, from enabling basic navigation to tracking browsing behaviour across sites.
Essential Cookies
Certain cookies are strictly necessary for the catalogue to function. These include cookies that enable you to navigate between pages, maintain your session, and access secure areas. Without these cookies, some parts of the site may not work correctly. For example, essential cookies help us remember your session as you move from one page to another, such as when browsing a category like 'Art History' or viewing a specific work like 'Sweden — A Closer Reading'. Essential cookies do not require your prior consent.
Preference Cookies
We use cookies to remember your choices, such as your preferred text size, display settings, or whether you have dismissed certain notices. These cookies improve your experience but are not essential. For instance, if you adjust the layout while reading 'Selected etchings by Piranesi, series 2 — Text and Context', a preference cookie can store that setting for future visits. Where we use them, we will ask for your consent before setting them.
Analytics Cookies
Where enabled, we use analytics services (including Google Analytics) to collect aggregated information about how visitors use the catalogue — for example, which pages are most frequently viewed, how long visits last, and what search terms are used. This data helps us understand reader interests and improve the site. For instance, we may learn that readers of 'The Hollow Earth — Reading Companion' also enjoy 'Bromoil printing and bromoil transfer — A Reader’s Guide', allowing us to recommend related works. Analytics cookies are set only with your consent.
Advertising Cookies
If advertising is displayed on the catalogue, we may use Google advertising technologies (such as Google AdSense) 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 campaigns. Advertising cookies are third-party cookies and are used only where you have given consent. They are separate from the cookies used for the catalogue's own functionality.
Third-Party Cookies
Some content or features on the catalogue may be provided by third parties, such as embedded video players or social media sharing buttons. These services may set their own cookies. We do not control these cookies, and you should check the privacy policies of the respective providers for more information. For example, if a page like 'A Lecture on Stained Glass — Inside the Classic' includes an embedded video from an external platform, that platform may set cookies to track your interaction.
Your Consent and Choices
When you first visit the catalogue, a cookie banner will inform you about the types of cookies we use. For non-essential cookies (preferences, analytics, advertising), we will ask for your consent before setting them. You can give or withhold consent for each category. You may also withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your preferences via the cookie settings link available in the footer of every page. Withdrawing consent will not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.
Browser Controls
Most web browsers allow you to manage cookies through their settings. You can usually choose to block all cookies, delete existing cookies, or receive a warning before a cookie is stored. Please note that disabling essential cookies may affect the functionality of the catalogue. Instructions for managing cookies can be found in your browser’s help documentation. For example, you can configure your browser to clear cookies each time you close it, which may be useful for shared devices.
Local Storage
In addition to cookies, we may use local storage to store certain preferences or session data. Local storage is not automatically cleared when you close your browser. You can clear local storage through your browser settings. Disabling local storage may impact certain features, such as remembering your reading progress in a long work like 'Annals of the persecution in Scotland — Background and Themes'. Local storage is typically used for data that does not need to be transmitted to our servers.
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 take effect constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.