Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Last Updated: April 22, 2026

Friends of the Modesto Library (“FOML,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the information you share with us through our website, modestolibraryfriends.org (the “Site”).

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how cookies and similar technologies may be used on our Site, and what choices you may have regarding your information.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect information in the following ways:

Information You Provide Voluntarily

When you submit information through our Site, such as through a contact form, donation form, membership form, volunteer form, or other inquiry form, we may collect personal information such as:

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Mailing address
  • Donation or membership information
  • Any other information you choose to provide in your message or submission

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our Site, certain information may be collected automatically, including:

  • IP address
  • Browser type
  • Device type
  • Operating system
  • Referring website
  • Pages viewed
  • Time spent on pages
  • Dates and times of visits
  • Clicks, scroll behavior, and general website interaction data

2. How We Use Your Information

We may use the information we collect to:

  • Respond to inquiries or requests
  • Process donations, memberships, or volunteer interest submissions
  • Communicate with you about our organization, programs, fundraising efforts, events, or updates
  • Operate, maintain, and improve our Site
  • Understand how visitors use our Site
  • Monitor and improve website performance and user experience
  • Maintain the security and integrity of our Site
  • Comply with legal obligations

3. Cookies and Similar Tracking Technologies

Our Site may use cookies and similar technologies to support site functionality, understand how visitors use the Site, and improve performance.

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They may help us recognize your browser, remember preferences, and collect information about how the Site is used.

We may use the following categories of cookies:

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the Site to function properly and cannot be switched off in our systems.

Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with the Site so we can improve content, usability, and performance.

Session Replay / Behavioral Analytics Technologies

These technologies help us better understand how users navigate and interact with our Site, such as clicks, scrolling, and general browsing behavior.

4. Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to collect information about how visitors use our Site. Google Analytics may collect information such as your IP address, device information, browser type, pages visited, time on site, and interactions with the Site. This information helps us analyze website traffic and improve the Site.

Google Analytics may use cookies or similar technologies to perform these services.

You can learn more about how Google uses data through its services and can opt out of Google Analytics through the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

5. Microsoft Clarity

We may use Microsoft Clarity to better understand how users interact with our Site. Microsoft Clarity may collect usage data such as mouse movements, clicks, scroll activity, pages visited, device information, and similar behavioral interaction data. This helps us improve website functionality, usability, and user experience.

Microsoft Clarity may use cookies and similar technologies to collect this information.

6. Cookie Banner and Your Choices

To support applicable privacy and cookie transparency requirements, our Site may display a cookie banner or similar notice when you visit.

Through this banner, you may be given the ability to:

  • Accept certain cookies
  • Reject non-essential cookies
  • Manage cookie preferences

You can also control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect how the Site functions.

If we use a consent management platform or cookie management tool, your cookie choices may be stored and honored based on that platform’s settings.

7. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information for money.

We may share information in limited circumstances, including:

  • With service providers that help us operate the Site or analyze website traffic
  • With analytics providers such as Google Analytics and Microsoft Clarity
  • With vendors or providers that help process forms, donations, memberships, communications, or website functions
  • When required by law, subpoena, court order, or other legal process
  • To protect the rights, safety, and security of our organization, users, or others
  • In connection with a merger, reorganization, or transfer of organizational assets, if applicable

8. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including to respond to inquiries, maintain records, process donations or memberships, improve our services, and comply with legal obligations.

9. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to help protect the information we collect. However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Third-Party Links

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites or services, including donation platforms, social media platforms, library-related resources, or partner organizations. We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of those third-party sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing information to them.

11. Children’s Privacy

Our Site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without appropriate consent, we will take steps to delete it.

12. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you may have rights under California law regarding your personal information, subject to certain exceptions. Depending on applicable law, these rights may include the right to:

  • Know what personal information we collect, use, disclose, or share
  • Request deletion of personal information
  • Request correction of inaccurate personal information
  • Limit certain uses of sensitive personal information, where applicable
  • Not be discriminated against for exercising privacy rights

Because our Site may use cookies and analytics technologies, California users may also have the right to opt out of certain types of data sharing or processing, where applicable.

To exercise any privacy rights available to you, please contact us using the information below.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or would like to make a privacy-related request, please contact us at:

Friends of the Modesto Library
 P.O. Box 4565
Modesto, CA 95352-4565
info@modestolibraryfriends.org

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last Updated” date above. Your continued use of the Site after any changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.