Cookies and Privacy

Information

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What is a Cookie?  A Cookie is a small file deposited onto the hard drive that keeps track of your activity on a web site.  We use a third-party chat service called HumanClick which uses Cookies to help the librarians keep track of repeat visitors. 

Why is this important?  Unfortunately Cookies not only let us know if you are a repeat visitor, but they also display the text of your conversation to the next person who uses your computer to chat with a librarian.  You can set your home computer to reject Cookies and still be able to chat with a librarian.  Instructions are listed below.  Do not disable Cookies on the Library’s public access computers.  Please use the e-mail form provided if you want your question to remain confidential.

Other things to consider before using Chat Reference:  Your IP address (the address of your computer on the Internet), the type of browser you use and the text of your chat session with the librarian are collected and stored on HumanClick's server.  This information is not shared with third-parties. See HumanClick's privacy policy for more information.

Disabling Cookies

Disabling Cookies can effect your ability to access other web sites which use Cookies, such as, the Library's online magazine indexes.    We recommend you enable Cookies after you have completed your chat session with the librarian.

Internet Explorer 5.x

1. On the menu bar, select Tools > Internet Options

2. Select Security tab on the Internet Options window.

3. Click Custom Level…

4. Under the category Cookies: Allow cookies that are stored on your computer
   select Disable

5. Click OK

6. Click Yes 

7. Click Apply 

8. Click OK

Netscape 4.x

1. On the menu bar, select Edit > Preferences…

2. Double click on the category Advanced

3. In Advanced, click to mark Disable cookies

4. Click OK 

AOL

1. Click My AOL, select Preference

2. Click WWW 

3. Select Security tab on the AOL Internet Properties window.

4. Click Custom Level… 

5. Under the category Cookies: Allow cookies that are stored on your computer
   select Disable

6. Click OK 

7. Click Yes  

8. Click Apply

9. Click OK