Privacy Policy
Last updated: August 1, 2024
Your Privacy Matters: Library Hours 24 is committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data in compliance with international privacy laws including GDPR, CCPA, and PIPEDA.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide
- Contact Information: When you contact us through our forms, we collect your name and email address
- Library Submissions: If you submit library information, we may collect the details you provide
- Feedback: Comments, suggestions, or reviews you choose to share with us
1.2 Information Automatically Collected
- Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on site, click patterns
- Device Information: Browser type, operating system, screen resolution
- Location Data: General geographic location (city/country level) for search functionality
- Cookies: Small data files to improve your experience and enable certain features
1.3 Third-Party Information
- Google Maps: Location data when using our map features
- Analytics: Aggregated usage statistics from Google Analytics
- Advertising: Data from Google AdSense for personalized ads
2. How We Use Your Information
2.1 Primary Uses
- Service Provision: To provide accurate library hours and location information
- Search Functionality: To help you find libraries near your location
- Communication: To respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
- Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and improve our services
2.2 Legal Basis (GDPR Compliance)
- Legitimate Interest: Providing library information services
- Consent: When you opt-in to communications or use location services
- Contract Performance: When providing requested services
- Legal Obligation: When required to comply with applicable laws
3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
3.1 Types of Cookies We Use
- Essential Cookies: Required for basic site functionality
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site
- Advertising Cookies: Used by Google AdSense to show relevant ads
- Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
3.2 Cookie Management
You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may limit site functionality. We use Google Analytics and Google AdSense, which set their own cookies according to their privacy policies.
4. Google AdSense and Advertising
4.1 Third-Party Advertising
We use Google AdSense to display advertisements on our website. Google may use cookies and other tracking technologies to:
- Show ads based on your interests and browsing history
- Measure ad performance and effectiveness
- Prevent fraud and abuse
- Provide reporting to advertisers
4.2 Ad Personalization
You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ad Settings or aboutads.info.
5. Data Sharing and Disclosure
5.1 We Do NOT Sell Your Data
We never sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties for commercial purposes.
5.2 Limited Sharing
We may share information only in these circumstances:
- Service Providers: With trusted partners who help operate our website (hosting, analytics)
- Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government request
- Safety: To protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users
- Business Transfer: In the unlikely event of a merger or acquisition
6. Data Security
6.1 Protection Measures
- Encryption: All data transmission is encrypted using SSL/TLS
- Access Controls: Limited access to personal data on a need-to-know basis
- Regular Updates: We keep our security measures current
- Monitoring: Continuous monitoring for security threats
6.2 Data Breach Response
In the unlikely event of a data breach, we will notify affected users and relevant authorities within 72 hours as required by law.
7. Your Rights and Choices
7.1 GDPR Rights (EU Users)
- Access: Request copies of your personal data
- Rectification: Correct inaccurate personal data
- Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data
- Portability: Receive your data in a portable format
- Restriction: Limit how we process your data
- Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
7.2 CCPA Rights (California Users)
- Know: What personal information we collect and how it's used
- Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
- Opt-Out: Opt out of the sale of personal information (we don't sell data)
- Non-Discrimination: Equal service regardless of privacy choices
7.3 Australian Privacy Rights
Under the Australian Privacy Act, you have rights to access and correct your personal information, and to make complaints about privacy breaches.
7.4 New Zealand Privacy Rights
Under the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020, you have rights to access and correct your personal information, and additional rights regarding automated decision-making.
8. International Data Transfers
Our website is hosted and operated from servers that may be located in different countries. When you use our service, your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your home country, including the United States.
We ensure adequate protection for international transfers through:
- Adequacy decisions by relevant authorities
- Standard contractual clauses
- Other legally recognized transfer mechanisms
9. Children's Privacy
Our service is not directed to children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided personal information, please contact us immediately.
10. Data Retention
We retain personal information only as long as necessary to:
- Provide our services
- Comply with legal obligations
- Resolve disputes
- Enforce our agreements
Typically, we retain data for:
- Contact inquiries: 3 years after last contact
- Usage analytics: 26 months (Google Analytics default)
- Legal compliance: As required by applicable law
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will:
- Post the updated policy on this page
- Update the "Last Updated" date
- For material changes, provide additional notice via email or prominent website notice
12. Contact Information
For questions about this privacy policy or to exercise your rights, contact us:
- Email: privacy@libraryhours24.com
- Postal Address: Library Hours 24, Privacy Officer, [Address will be updated upon domain hosting]
- Response Time: We respond to privacy requests within 30 days
Data Protection Officer (EU/UK)
For GDPR-related inquiries, you may also contact our Data Protection Officer at dpo@libraryhours24.com
Supervisory Authority
If you're not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority:
- UK: Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
- EU: Your national data protection authority
- Australia: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
- New Zealand: Privacy Commissioner
- California: California Attorney General's Office
Consent and Acknowledgment: By using Library Hours 24, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this privacy policy and consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described herein.