Privacy Policy

Effective Date: August 23, 2026

Big Read Macon County (“Big Read Macon County,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you provide when you visit or interact with this website.

Big Read Macon County is an initiative of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, in partnership with Three Link Media and NowDecatur.com. The initiative is supported through the NEA Big Read, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

This Privacy Policy explains what information may be collected through the Big Read Macon County website, how that information may be used, and the choices available to you.

1. Information We Collect

Depending on how you use this website, we may collect information that you voluntarily provide, including:

• Your name

• Email address

• Phone number

• Organization or affiliation

• Information submitted through contact forms, registration forms, surveys, applications, or other online forms

• Information you provide when signing up for email communications

• Comments, questions, stories, photographs, videos, or other materials you voluntarily submit

You are not required to provide personal information simply to browse most portions of this website.

2. Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the website, certain technical information may be collected automatically by the website or by third-party services used to operate and improve the website.

This information may include:

• Internet Protocol (IP) address

• Browser type and version

• Device type

• Operating system

• Referring website

• Pages visited

• Date and time of visits

• General geographic information

• Information about how you interact with the website

This information is generally used in aggregate to understand website traffic, improve website performance, maintain security, and enhance the user experience.

3. Cookies and Analytics

The website may use cookies, pixels, analytics tools, or similar technologies to understand how visitors use the website and to improve its functionality and content.

Some of these technologies may be provided by third-party service providers. Those providers may collect information according to their own privacy policies.

You may be able to control or disable cookies through your web browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect certain website functionality.

4. How We Use Information

Information collected through the website may be used to:

• Respond to questions and requests

• Register participants for Big Read Macon County events and activities

• Provide information about programs, events, and opportunities

• Send newsletters or other communications when you have requested or consented to receive them

• Administer surveys, contests, registrations, or other activities

• Understand community participation and engagement

• Improve the website and its content

• Protect the security and integrity of the website

• Comply with legal obligations

• Carry out the purposes for which the information was submitted

We do not sell personal information to third parties.

5. Sharing of Information

Big Read Macon County may share information with service providers, contractors, partners, or other organizations when reasonably necessary to operate the website, administer programs, communicate with participants, or provide services.

For example, information may be shared with a third-party provider that hosts an online registration or email service.

We may also disclose information when required by law, legal process, court order, or governmental request, or when reasonably necessary to protect the rights, safety, or property of Big Read Macon County, the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, our partners, participants, or others.

6. Third-Party Websites and Services

This website may contain links to websites, social media platforms, registration systems, ticketing services, video platforms, or other websites operated by third parties.

Once you leave the Big Read Macon County website, your interactions are governed by the privacy policies and terms of those third parties. We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, security, or policies of third-party websites.

7. Email Communications

If you voluntarily provide your email address to receive information from Big Read Macon County, we may use it to send newsletters, event information, program updates, announcements, or other communications related to the initiative.

You may unsubscribe from non-essential email communications at any time by using the unsubscribe mechanism included in the communication or by contacting us.

8. Children's Privacy

Big Read Macon County encourages participation by people of all ages in appropriate community reading and arts activities. However, this website is not intended to knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate parental or guardian involvement.

Where a program or activity is specifically directed toward children or youth and personal information is collected, we will seek to provide appropriate notices and obtain any permissions required by applicable law.

9. Submitted Content

If you voluntarily submit photographs, videos, stories, comments, testimonials, artwork, or other materials to Big Read Macon County, please understand that materials submitted for possible publication may become publicly available if selected for use.

Do not submit personal information about another person unless you have permission or are otherwise authorized to do so.

Additional terms governing submitted content are described in our Terms of Use.

10. Data Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect information submitted through this website.

However, no website, electronic transmission, or method of storing information can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Users should exercise appropriate caution when submitting sensitive information online.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, programs, or legal requirements.

When changes are made, the updated policy will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

12. Contact Us

Questions about this Privacy Policy or the privacy practices of Big Read Macon County may be directed to:

Heart of Illinois Community Foundation
101 S. Main St., Suite 400
Decatur, Illinois 62523
217-429-3000

Big Read Macon County is an initiative of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, in partnership with Three Link Media and NowDecatur.com.