A privacy-focused library starts with its staff. Robust privacy education for staff translates into staff that can teach users about privacy. Staff also become advocates for protecting their right to privacy in the library.
- NYC Digital Safety: Privacy & Security – Seven online training modules for library staff. Modules feature core concepts in data privacy and online security. A three-hour training curriculum is also available.
- School Library Workers Privacy Training - Gain a solid understanding of library privacy and confidentiality principles needed to support K-12 students. Test your knowledge by responding to 15 common school library situations related to privacy. The resource can be used individually or as the basis for professional development.
- Data Privacy Project – Learning modules and curriculum to train library staff on:
- How information travels
- How information is shared online
- What risks users commonly encounter online
- How libraries can better protect user privacy.
Not only do library workers have a responsibility to protect user privacy, there is an obligation to educate users about privacy more broadly. Programming should instruct users of all ages about privacy tools and tactics they can use to lead a healthy online life.
Programming in Academic Libraries
As institutions that validate and structure the boundaries of knowledge, promote inquiry, and disseminate new knowledge, institutions of higher education have an implied role in defending creative exploration and experimentation. In serving universities and colleges, academic libraries and librarians are not only committed to practicing privacy and confidentiality, but also to teaching their importance as a cornerstone of intellectual freedom.
- Electronic Frontier Foundation: Security Education Companion – A resource for people teaching digital security. Includes lesson plans and teaching materials.
- Digital Privacy Instruction Curriculum – Handouts created by the Digital Library Federation’s Privacy & Ethics in Technology working group. These handouts form two categories—tools and scenarios—that interrelate to show audience members how certain digital privacy strategies can be applied to different contexts.
- Privacy Services at Cornell University Library – A dedicated page for information about Privacy Literacy, Licensing for Privacy, Risk Consultations, and details about Public Computing.
- Teaching Privacy: Teacher’s Portal – Lesson plans to empower K-12 students and college undergrads in making informed choices about privacy.
Programming in Public Libraries
- Electronic Frontier Foundation: Security Education Companion – A resource for people teaching digital security. Includes lesson plans and teaching materials.
- Virtual Privacy Lab – An online tool with various privacy topics. Users can learn about privacy and create their own privacy toolkit.
- Online Self Defense – This workshop teaches people basic online self-defense skills.
- Presentation PPT – English (3 MB)
- Presentation PDF (890 KB)
- Password Handout PDF (47 KB)
- Survey Handout PDF (80 KB)
- Presentation PPT – Spanish (3 MB)
- Presentation PDF (881 KB)
- Password Handout PDF (46 KB)
- Survey Handout PDF (320 KB)
- Presentation PPT – English (3 MB)
Lesson Plans for School Libraries
- Common Sense Education: Digital Citizenship Curriculum – Privacy and Security
- Teaching Privacy: Teacher’s Portal – Lesson plans to empower K–12 students and college undergrads in making informed choices about privacy.
Electronic Frontier Foundation: Surveillance Self-Defense for LGBTQ Youth – Aimed at individual LGBTQ students to support anonymity of their online activities.
Need information on student and minor privacy laws? Check out the Students & Minors section.