Privacy Policy

This privacy policy applies to all websites operated by the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS), including cals.org, the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, Roberts Library, Rock It! Lab, Ron Robinson Theater, and Six Bridges Book Festival.

CALS is committed to protecting the privacy of everyone who visits our websites. This policy describes what information we collect, how we use it, and what choices you have.

Information We Collect

Information you provide directly

When you fill out a form on our website — such as a contact form, event registration, or newsletter signup — we collect the information you enter. This typically includes your name and email address, and may include your mailing address, phone number, or other details depending on the form.

Information collected automatically

When you visit any CALS website, certain information is collected automatically by our web servers and analytics tools. This includes your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, pages you visit and how long you spend on them, the website that referred you to ours, the date and time of your visit, and your general geographic location (city or region level, not street address).

This information is collected through cookies and similar technologies.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to respond to questions and requests submitted through our website, send you information you have asked to receive such as newsletters or event updates, analyze how our websites are used so we can improve them, and maintain the security and functionality of our websites.

CALS does not sell, rent, or otherwise distribute your personal information to third parties for their own marketing purposes.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our websites use cookies — small text files stored on your device — and similar technologies to function properly and to help us understand how visitors use our sites.

Essential cookies. Some cookies are necessary for our websites to work correctly, including those used for spam prevention on contact forms. These cannot be disabled without affecting site functionality.

Analytics cookies. We use Google Analytics to collect aggregate data about how visitors use our websites, such as which pages are visited most often and how visitors navigate the site. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect this information. IP addresses are processed but not stored in full by Google. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the browser add-on at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout. Google’s privacy policy is available at policies.google.com/privacy.

Third-Party Services

Our websites use the following third-party services, each of which may collect information about your visit according to their own privacy policies.

Google Analytics. We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our websites. This service collects anonymous, aggregate usage data.

UniqueChat. Some CALS websites include a live chat feature for patron support. When you use the chat widget, your messages and basic browser information are collected to facilitate the conversation.

Cloudflare Turnstile. Contact forms on some CALS websites use Cloudflare Turnstile to verify that submissions are from real people. This service collects limited technical data to perform this check.

Mailchimp (Intuit). When you sign up for a CALS newsletter or mailing list, your information may be stored and processed by Mailchimp, a third-party email marketing platform. Mailchimp’s privacy policy is available at intuit.com/privacy/statement.

We only use third-party services that serve a legitimate function on our websites. We do not control how those services handle your data, and we encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services that concern you.

Children’s Privacy

CALS websites are intended for a general audience. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13 without parental consent. If you believe a child under 13 has submitted personal information through our website, please contact us so we can delete it.

Data Retention

Information submitted through forms is retained for as long as necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected. Analytics data is retained in aggregate form and automatically deleted after the retention period configured in our analytics platform.

Your Choices

Cookies. Most web browsers allow you to manage or block cookies through your browser settings. Blocking certain cookies may affect site functionality.

Analytics. You can opt out of Google Analytics at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Communications. If you have signed up for emails or newsletters from CALS, you can unsubscribe at any time using the link provided in the email.

Security

We take reasonable precautions to protect the information we collect. However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure.

Links to Other Websites

Our websites may contain links to other sites that are not operated by CALS. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

Contact

If you have questions about this privacy policy or how CALS handles your information, please contact:

Central Arkansas Library System
100 Rock Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
askcals@cals.org
(501) 918-3000