LFI 12

Library Freedom Institute 12: Advanced Knowledge for Digital Resistance

Library Freedom Institute (LFI) is a training program for library workers focused on privacy, intellectual freedom, and critical technology. We teach librarians the skills necessary to support information democracy in the 21st Century; from educating community members, to installing privacy software, to influencing local policy.

Expanding on previous Library Freedom Institute trainings in intellectual freedom, data privacy, and AI critical approaches to resisting Big Tech, this advanced series embraces the reality that much of our work remains in progress. LFI 12 is iterative and builds on the expertise you’ve been studying and sharing with your communities.

General course information and resources

• Code of Conduct
• Discord for asynchronous discussion (link shared privately)
• Mailing list and wiki for weekly curriculum
• Zoom for weekly synchronous sessions (link shared privately)

Course structure

• 10 weeks, exact dates TBD, but taking place sometime between February and April 2027
• Weekly synchronous two-hour video sessions are TBD
• Weekly discussion questions and readings

What to expect/what is expected of you

• A generous and generative group to build community with, learn together, share ideas, experiences, and resources
• A unique curriculum rooted in honest engagement with the world
• Attend each weekly session
• If you need to miss a session, please email in advance
• Participate in weekly conversations
• Zoom sessions will be a mix of lecture, large group discussions, and breakouts
• Participate in asynch Discord convos
• Complete weekly readings (amount will vary, but week 2 is the most by far)
• Weekly topics are subject to change, sometimes wildly, based on group vibes, the world, and the prior week

Schedule and curriculum

Schedule overview

Week	Date and time	Topic	Lecturer
1	February 20th, 11-1 pacific/12-2 mountain/1-3 central/2-4 pm eastern	Introduction to this course and each other	Alison and Tess
2	February 27th, 11-1 pacific/12-2 mountain/1-3 central/2-4 pm eastern	Threat modeling, risk assessments, and the security mindset	Tess
3	March 6th, 11-1 pacific/12-2 mountain/1-3 central/2-4 pm eastern	How we got here: internet and surveillance origins, ideologies, and logics	Alison and Tess
4	March 13th, 11-1 pacific/12-2 mountain/1-3 central/2-4 pm eastern	Carceral surveillance: how the state and its appendages use technology
5	March 20th, 11-1 pacific/12-2 mountain/1-3 central/2-4 pm eastern	Technology for liberation, or at least just better passwords
6	March 27th, 11-1 pacific/12-2 mountain/1-3 central/2-4 pm eastern	More tech tools and anti-doxxing
7	April 3rd	off week
8	April 10th, 11-1 pacific/12-2 mountain/1-3 central/2-4 pm eastern	What are we fighting for? Messaging and talking points to convince others what's at stake and what we need to do about it
9	April 17-19	In-person weekend
10	April 24th	off week
11	May 1st, 11-1 pacific/12-2 mountain/1-3 central/2-4 pm eastern	Responsible data and intellectual freedom policies, and vendor issues
12	May 8th, 11-1 pacific/12-2 mountain/1-3 central/2-4 pm eastern	The AI hellscape
13	May 15th, 11-1 pacific/12-2 mountain/1-3 central/2-4 pm eastern	Luxury surveillance: consumer technologies and online advertising
14	May 22nd	off week
15	May 29th, 11-1 pacific/12-2 mountain/1-3 central/2-4 pm eastern	Closing week: Alternative visions, and our shared ideas for longer term practice