Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy for the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library Website

Effective Date: December 1, 2024

Thank you for visiting the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library website (hereinafter referred to as “we,” “us,” or “our”). We value our users’ privacy and are committed to protecting your privacy in addition to providing you with a safe online experience. This Privacy Policy is designed to help you understand how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information. The policy is created to assure those affiliated with us of our commitment and realization of our obligation not only to meet, but to exceed most existing privacy standards.  Please take a moment to read and familiarize yourself with our practices.

Specifically, this Policy will inform you of the following –

1. What personally identifiable information is collected from you through our website;
2. Why we collect personally identifiable information and the legal basis for such collection;
3. How we use the collected information and with whom it may be shared;
4. What choices are available to you regarding the use of your data; and
5. The security procedures in place to protect the misuse of information.
6. Information We Collect: It is always up to you whether to disclose personally identifiable information to us, although if you elect not to do so, we reserve the right not to register you as a user or provide you with any products or services.

1.1 Personal Information: When you visit our website, we may collect certain personally identifiable information (PII) that you voluntarily provide, such as your name, email address, postal address, and phone number. We may collect this information through contact forms, registration forms, surveys, or when you make a donation.

1.2 Non-Personal Information: We may also collect non-personal information such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, and the pages you visit on our website. This information is collected automatically through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to improve our website’s functionality and your browsing experience.

1.3 Resources for Grants: The use of any resources through our website related to our provision of grants is voluntary and any information you submit will be used solely for the reasons it has been provided – for review and evaluation of the application, determination of eligibility, to facilitate the selection of successful applicants and to administer the award.

2. Why we collect Information: We are collecting your data for several reasons:

 – Recognition: To better understand your needs and provide you with the services you have requested.

 – Advancement: To fulfil our legitimate interest in improving our services and products.

 – Promotion: To send you promotional emails containing information we think you may like when we have your consent to do so.

 – Research: To contact you to fill out surveys or participate in other types of market research when we have your consent to do so.

 – Customization: To customize our website according to your online behavior and personal preferences.                                                                                                                                                                      

3. How We Use Your Information: We may use the information we collect for the following purposes:

3.1 Provide Services: To fulfill your requests, process donations, respond to inquiries, and provide you with information about our exhibitions, programs, and events. We do not collect personal information when you visit our website unless you choose to provide that information. We collect personal information when responding to requests or inquiries, to service membership or quarterly newsletter subscriptions, or to facilitate sale of products. This information is never shared with third parties for commercial purposes.          

3.2 Improve User Experience: To analyze and enhance our website’s performance, usability, and content based on your preferences and feedback. When you visit our site, we may automatically collect and store information about how our Service is accessed and used. This may include the Internet Protocol address from which you access the website, the time and date of your visit, the name of the site from which you linked to srmml.org, browser type and version, the pages of our Service which you visit, time spent on those pages, name of a file or words searched, and items clicked on a page. We use this information to provide and improve the Service. It allows us to determine the number of visitors to the different areas of our site to assist in developing the site and identify system performance or problem areas. We also use it to study patterns of usage and detect problem areas. The information is not used to associate site navigation with individual users.

3.3 Communications: To send you updates, newsletters, and promotional materials related to our organization, events, and exhibits, if you have opted to receive them.

3.4 Legal Obligations: To comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests from government authorities.

4. Disclosure of Your Information: We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your information under the following circumstances:

– to provide services or products you have ordered;

 – other manners described in this policy or to which you have consented;

– in aggregate with other information in a fashion not revealing your identity;

– in response to a subpoena, search warrant or as required by law;

– to outside auditors who have agreed to keep the information confidential;

– as necessary to enforce the Terms of Service on our website;

– to third-party vendors and service providers who help us operate our         website, process donations, and deliver our services.

– as necessary to preserve, safeguard and maintain the rights and property of the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library.

4. Your Choices and Rights:

4.1 Opt-Out: All users and visitors to our website have the option to discontinue receiving communications from us by email or newsletter. You can opt out of receiving promotional emails from us by following the unsubscribe instructions provided in our emails.

4.2 Access and Correction: You have the right to access, correct, or update your personal information by contacting us at [email protected] or by calling us at (781) 861-6559. 

4.3 Do Not Track: We do not respond to “Do Not Track” signals from your browser.

5. Security: We take reasonable measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. When you submit sensitive information via the website, your information is protected both online and offline. Only those employees who need the information for a specific job are granted access to personally identifiable information. However, no data transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be 100% secure.
6. Links to Third-Party Websites: This Policy applies only and solely to the information collected by our website. Although our website may contain links to third-party websites, we are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these websites. Please note that this Policy does not govern the collection and use of information by companies that the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library does not control, nor by individuals not employed or managed by us. Should you choose to visit a website that we mention or link to, we encourage you to review the privacy policies of these third parties before providing any personal information.
7. Children’s Privacy: Our website is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.
8. Changes to this Privacy Policy: We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We reserve the right to make these changes to the Policy at any given time. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Effective Date.” To be sure that you are up to date with the latest changes, we advise you to frequently visit this page.
9. Acceptance of Terms: By using this website, you are hereby accepting the terms and conditions stipulated within this Privacy Policy. Continued use of our website following proper notification or the posting of any updates or changes to our terms and conditions, shall mean that you agree to and accept such changes.
10. Contact Us: If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact us at:

Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library 
33 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA 02421
[email protected]
(781) 861-6559