Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Index
- Introduction
- Scope
- Personal Data We Collect
- Purpose of Data Processing
- Legal Basis for Processing
- Data Protection and Security
- Rights of Access, Rectification, Cancellation, and Opposition (ARCO)
- Sharing of Information
- Cookies and Tracking Technologies
- Intellectual Property and Content Use
- Community Participation and Communication
- Fundraising and Transparency
- Limitation of Liability
- Changes to this Policy
- Contact Information
- References
1. Introduction
The Worldwide Library Initiative Community is a global cultural and educational network dedicated to the preservation, dissemination, and revitalization of ancestral, Indigenous, and contemporary knowledge from across the world. This includes the Mexican Library, Mayan Library, Bioregional Libraries, Indigenous Peoples Libraries, and other affiliated continental and community archives.
The mission of the Initiative is to bring together diverse cultural knowledge, safeguard the wisdom of elders and original cultures, and provide access to educational, social, and cultural programs while sustaining living archives. This platform reproduces and shares texts from diverse authors, both historical and contemporary, for educational, cultural, promotional, and fundraising purposes. By participating, users join a global community committed to intercultural understanding, knowledge preservation, and shared stewardship of cultural and ecological heritage.
This document establishes the principles and practices governing the collection, processing, storage, and protection of personal data, as well as the conditions of use of this platform and its contents.
2. Scope
This Privacy Policy and Terms of Use apply to all users, visitors, and participants of the Worldwide Library Initiative Community and its digital platforms, including all affiliated libraries, forms, and publications. Users of the Mexican Library, Mayan Library, Bioregional Libraries, or any Indigenous Peoples Library are automatically part of this broader global community.
3. Personal Data We Collect
The personal data we may collect include full name, date of birth, place of birth, email address, and optional demographic or cultural affiliation information. This information may be voluntarily provided when users participate in research, community activities, or educational programs. All data are provided voluntarily and used solely for the purposes outlined herein.
4. Purpose of Data Processing
Personal data are processed for the following purposes:
(a) To register individuals as members or participants in the Worldwide Library Initiative Community.
(b) To send educational, cultural, and community updates from all affiliated libraries.
(c) To contact participants with invitations to events, collaborations, research initiatives, or fundraising campaigns.
(d) To analyze anonymized data for educational, cultural, and anthropological research purposes.
(e) To include users in newsletters, email, phone, or other digital campaigns across the global library network.
Participation in one library (e.g., Mexican, Mayan, or Bioregional) is treated as participation in the global community, strengthening connections and shared knowledge across regions.
5. Legal Basis for Processing
Data processing is conducted in accordance with applicable regulations, including:
- European Union: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, EU 2016/679)
- United States: Privacy Act of 1974 and relevant FTC guidance
- Mexico: Ley Federal de Protección de Datos Personales en Posesión de los Particulares (LFPDPPP)
By submitting personal information and providing explicit consent through our forms, users authorize the Worldwide Library Initiative to process their data as described in this policy, encompassing all affiliated libraries and digital platforms.
6. Data Protection and Security
The Initiative implements administrative, technical, and physical measures to ensure the security and confidentiality of personal data, protecting them against unauthorized access, loss, alteration, or disclosure. Access is restricted to authorized personnel who require it for legitimate purposes across all participating libraries.
7. Rights of Access, Rectification, Cancellation, and Opposition (ARCO)
Users have the right to access, correct, delete, or oppose the processing of their personal data. Requests can be submitted to the official contact address in Section 15 and will be processed within the legally established timeframe. These rights apply to all data across the global library network.
8. Sharing of Information
The Worldwide Library Initiative does not sell, rent, or trade personal data. Information may be shared only with service providers assisting in operational, technical, or communication functions under strict agreements. Sharing is strictly limited to support the global educational, cultural, and community objectives of the Initiative.
9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our platforms may use cookies and similar technologies to improve user experience, analyze traffic, and enhance accessibility across regions and libraries. Users may configure their browsers to reject cookies without restricting access to content.
10. Intellectual Property and Content Use
All materials shared by the Worldwide Library Initiative—including texts, images, and multimedia—are for educational, cultural, and non-commercial purposes. Content may be reproduced under principles of fair use, public domain, or with permission from authors or rights holders. The Initiative respects intellectual property and responds promptly to requests for correction, credit, or removal. Participation in one library implies consent to access content from all affiliated libraries within the global community.
11. Community Participation and Communication
By joining the Worldwide Library Initiative, participants consent to receive communications regarding educational activities, cultural projects, research, and fundraising from any affiliated library. Members may unsubscribe at any time through links in messages or by contacting the Initiative directly. Participation strengthens connections across all regional and Indigenous libraries.
12. Fundraising and Transparency
The Initiative may engage in lawful fundraising to support its educational, cultural, and preservation mission. All funds are exclusively used for programmatic, research, and archival purposes. Transparency is maintained through open communication with contributors, members, and partners across the global network.
13. Limitation of Liability
Content distributed by the Worldwide Library Initiative and its affiliated libraries is for educational and cultural purposes only. The Initiative assumes no responsibility for interpretation, use, or dissemination of information by third parties. Users access and use content voluntarily and at their own responsibility.
14. Changes to this Policy
The Initiative reserves the right to modify this Privacy Policy and Terms of Use to reflect legal, technological, or operational changes. Updated versions will be published on the official website, with revision dates clearly indicated. Changes apply across all affiliated libraries and platforms.
15. Contact Information
For questions, concerns, or to exercise data protection rights, please contact:
Website: https://www.worldwidelibrary.org
16. References
- European Union: Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR).
- United States: Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a, and relevant FTC guidance.
- Mexico: Ley Federal de Protección de Datos Personales en Posesión de los Particulares (LFPDPPP), Diario Oficial de la Federación, July 5, 2010, with Regulations December 21, 2011.