LFI 2026
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Contents
Library Freedom Institute[edit]
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.
General course information and resources[edit]
- Code of Conduct
- Discord for asynchronous discussion (link shared privately)
- Study pods (posted in Discord)
- Mailing list and wiki for weekly curriculum
- Zoom for weekly synchronous sessions (link shared privately)
Course structure[edit]
- 15 weeks and an in-person weekend, February 20th to May 29th
- In-person weekend is April 17-19
- Weekly sessions are Fridays from 11-2 pacific/2-4 eastern on zoom
- Weekly discussion questions and readings
What to expect/what is expected of you[edit]
- 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[edit]
Schedule overview[edit]
| 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 | The AI hellscape | |
| 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 | What are we fighting for? Messaging and talking points to convince others what's at stake and what we need to do about it | |
| 12 | May 8th, 11-1 pacific/12-2 mountain/1-3 central/2-4 pm eastern | Responsible data and intellectual freedom policies, and vendor issues | |
| 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 |
