Effective Date: August 26, 2026
Last Updated: August 26, 2026
The Biodiversity Heritage Library (“BHL,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects the privacy of our users (“you,” “your,”). In order to better protect your privacy, we provide this notice explaining our online information practices and the choices you can make about the way your information is collected when you visit BHL’s websites on the biodiversitylibrary.org domain (the “Websites”). This Privacy Policy works in conjunction with the Terms of Use.
Information We Collect
In the course of using the Websites, certain users may choose to interact with BHL in ways that require us to gather personally-identifying information. The amount and type of information we gather depends on the nature of the interaction. In each case, BHL collects information only insofar as it is necessary to fulfill the purpose of the user’s interaction with the Websites. Online payments and donation transactions are processed through a third party service provider and we do not retain, store, or share any of your credit card or payment-related information.
Depending on the services and features you use, we may process the following personal data:
- First and last name
- Email address
- IP address
- Postal address
- Credit card information
We may also aggregate non-personal information about how the Websites are used. We use IP addresses (which are not linked to personal information of any individual user) to analyze trends, administer the Websites, track volume of usage, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use; this information helps us measure the number of users to various sections of our Websites and helps make them more useful.
BHL does not disclose personally-identifying information other than as described above. Users can always refuse to supply personally-identifying information, with the caveat that it may prevent you from engaging in certain website-related activities.
How We Use Your Information
We may process the data mentioned above for one or more of the following purposes:
- To process or respond to comments or input received through our feedback form.
- To communicate by means of sending electronic newsletters and/or mail.
- To improve our websites and/or services.
- To compile site visits and user statistics.
- To process requested information.
- To process your payment.
- To register you for an event.
We reserve the right to use personal information to protect the security or integrity of our Websites; to protect against a threat to personal safety or destruction of property; to protect against legal liability; or to cooperate with government officials or parties in litigation, or as otherwise required by law. We may also share personal information with our successors in accordance with applicable laws.
Sharing with Third Parties
BHL does not sell names or other personal information about our Websites’ users and subscribers to mass marketers or any other entity, nor do we engage in exchanges of such information. BHL discloses potentially personally-identifying information only to those of its employees, contractors, and affiliated organizations that (1) need to know that information in order to process it on BHL’s behalf or to provide services available from BHL, and (2) that have agreed not to disclose it to others. Some of those employees, contractors, and affiliated organizations may be located outside of users’ home countries; by using the Websites, users consent to the transfer of such information to those parties.
Cookies
A cookie is a string of information that a website stores on a user’s computer, and that the user’s browser provides to the website each time the user returns.
BHL uses non-persistent cookies to help its website identify and track users for the duration of the user’s visit. When the user closes the browser, the cookie is discarded. Some third-party vendors, such as Google Analytics, may place cookies and analyze the information collected by cookies. No personally identifiable information is collected. Information collected from cookies will not be used to create profiles of individual users and only will be used in aggregate form.
The Websites use the following types of cookies.
Functionality Cookies – These cookies are essential for standard website functionality and usability. They are anonymous, and do not collect personal information or track user activity across websites.
| Cookie | Domain | Description |
| fundraiseup_func | www.biodiversitylibrary.org | Remember user preferences and popup frequency for our donation platform. More information is available from Fundraise Up. |
Performance and Analytics Cookies – These cookies collect information about how you use our website. All of the data is anonymized and cannot be used to identify you.
| Cookie | Domain | Description |
| _ga | www.biodiversitylibrary.org | Tracking cookie used by Google Analytics to analyze web traffic. |
| _gid | www.biodiversitylibrary.org | Tracking cookie used by Google Analytics to analyze web traffic. |
| _ga | .altmetric.com | Tracking cookie used by Altmetric to analyze web traffic. |
You have the ability to accept or decline cookies on the Websites, and you may also configure your browser to refuse cookies before using the Websites. Certain features of the Websites may not function properly without the aid of cookies.
Links to Other Websites
The Websites may provide links to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy or security practices of other websites (including security, collection of personal information, or use of cookies) or practices of other organizations and individuals.
Anti-Spam Policy and Your Opt-Out Rights
We are committed to permission-based communication and preventing the spread of spam or other forms of unsolicited emails. If you have received an email in error, you may remove your information from our database by requesting to unsubscribe at [email protected].
Commitment to Data Security
BHL takes precautions to host and maintain a secure website and to safeguard data from unauthorized use. We undertake a range of security practices, including measures to help restrict web access to or inappropriate use of sensitive data.
Your Consent and Questions
By submitting personal information through BHL’s Websites, you give your consent to our collection, use, and disclosure of such information as described in this Privacy Policy. If you have any questions about our Privacy Policy or requests about the status and correctness of data you have provided to BHL, please contact via email at [email protected] or in writing at:
Biodiversity Heritage Library
1800 Diagonal Rd, Ste. 600
Alexandria, VA 22314-2840
United States
Changes to the Privacy Policy
We review our privacy practices from time to time, and these practices are subject to change. Any change will be effective immediately upon posting on our Websites and by changing the effective date above. Be sure to return to this page periodically to ensure familiarity with the most current version of this Privacy Policy.