Class recorded March 16, 2022

Journalists, scientists, and even many members of Congress have long wondered: Is the federal government hiding information about Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) or Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP)? The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requires the U.S. government to disclose what it knows and what documents it has – but this general requirement is subject to many important exemptions, including national security. Join this discussion to learn about the legal realities behind the UFO controversy.   

Class covers:

• The surprising amount of government information that has been disclosed about UFOs/UAPs, including that available from the CIA’s UFO Reading Room – thanks, in part, to the efforts of activists in FOIA litigation
• What types of government information are subject to “classified” status, and why such information cannot be disclosed under FOIA
• Why FOIA has a national security exemption and what it covers
• Best practices for making a FOIA request, from both the government and requestor perspective
• Library resources available to help you with FOIA issues

Presented by: Grace Cheng, Director, Government Practice, Practical Law at Thomson Reuters, Michael Morisy, Cofounder and Chief Executive, Muckrock, and John Greenewald, Founder and Owner of The Black Vault.  

Registration fee: FREE

Course Materials: If you would like to receive a copy of the course materials for any of the classes, including any PowerPoint used, please register at the Register Now! button for the class, provided below. A staff member will email you the course materials (usually within one business day).

Class recorded December 15, 2023

A criminal record can prevent a person from accessing employment, housing, and other important opportunities – even if it involves a minor offense or something that happened long ago. Fortunately, many California state court criminal convictions can be cleaned from your record. Although “expungement” is not available in this state, California law does provide many of the same benefits through reduction and dismissal of old or minor convictions. In this class, learn what types of convictions are eligible, the process involved for different types of records, and resources available to help.

Class covers:

• What it means to clean your criminal record in California (and what “expungement” means)
• The process for petitioning to dismiss misdemeanor and some felony sentences
• The process for petitioning to reduce felony sentences, and which felonies are eligible for reduction
• Information and forms required for petitions
• Resources for additional information and assistance

Presented by: Alicia Friedman, Library Associate, LA Law Library
Alicia Friedman is a Library Associate at LA Library. She received her Master of Library and Information Science from Syracuse University. Alicia has worked in the law libraries of private law firms and at the California State Prison, Los Angeles County, helping with reference and other research services. Alicia is dedicated to help the members of her community with their legal information needs.

Registration Fee: FREE

Course Materials: If you would like to receive a copy of the course materials for any of the classes, including any PowerPoint used, please register at the Register Now! button for the class, provided below. A staff member will email you the course materials (usually within one business day).

Wednesday, July 20, 2022, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

--- CLASSES HELD VIA ZOOM. ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE EMAILED TO REGISTRANTS PRIOR TO CLASS START TIME ---

People in other countries sometimes have to be given notice before a legal step here can proceed, but serving legal documents on someone living in a foreign country can be complicated. This class covers the requirements of serving papers abroad using something called the Hague Service Convention.

Class covers:

• What is the Hague Service Convention?
• When does the Hague Service Convention apply?
• Procedures for service of papers outside the U.S. under the Hague Service Convention
• How to find out the proper method of service if the Hague Service Convention does not apply

Presented by:
Austin Stoub, Senior Librarian, Reference & Research, LA Law Library

Registration fees: FREE – Registration reserves spot

Tuesday, June 28, 2022: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

--- CLASS HELD VIA ZOOM. ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE EMAILED TO REGISTRANTS PRIOR TO CLASS START TIME ---

Join the LA Law Library book discussion group via Zoom as we continue to explore income inequality in America.  Our next book, Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival & Hope in an American City, by Andrea Elliott was just awarded the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in General Nonfiction.  In Invisible Child, investigative reporter Elliott follows eight dramatic years in the life of Dasani, a girl whose imagination is as soaring as the skyscrapers near her Brooklyn shelter.  The author weaves the story of Dasani’s childhood with the history of her ancestors, tracing their passage from slavery to the Great Migration north.  As Dasani comes of age, New York City’s homeless crisis has exploded, deepening the chasm between rich and poor.  She must guide her siblings through a world riddled by hunger, violence, racism, drug addiction and the threat of foster care.  This is an astonishing story about the power of resilience, the importance of family and the cost of inequality – told through the true story of one remarkable girl.

About the author & book:

• Author is an investigative reporter for the New York Times and former staff writer at The Miami Herald
• Awarded Pulitzer Prize, a George Polk Award, a Scripps Howard Award
• Invisible Child chosen as one of New York Times 10 Best Books of 2021
• Included in Best Books of 2021 lists by The Atlantic, New York Times Book Review, Time Magazine, NPR and Library Journal

Presented by: Katie O’Laughlin, Managing Librarian, Reference & Research

Registration fee: FREE.  This discussion will be hosted via Zoom.  Zoom information and link will be emailed to registrants prior to discussion.