Upcoming Events and Free Programs at the Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park Branch Libraries
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Thousand Oaks (Grant R. Brimhall) Library.
There are two great Thousand Oaks libraries; the Grant R. Brimhall Library at 1401 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks (805.449.2660) and the local Newbury Park Branch is at 2331 Borchard Road (805.498.2139). These libraries provide year-round free events, activities and programs for all ages. Selected events from time to time will be covered here.
Visit the library website at www.toaks.org/library to learn more.
The Grant R. Brimhall Library will be closed on Sunday, May 4, due to events at Conejo Creek North Park; however, the Newbury Park Library will be open from 12 pm to 5 pm. Both libraries will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. Our Virtual Library is open 24/7!
ALL AGES
LibCon 2025: Artist Alley Application Now Open!
Calling all artists! The Thousand Oaks Library is accepting applications for LibCon Artist Alley 2025! This is your chance to showcase and sell your artwork at the Library’s annual pop culture convention, happening August 9 & 10. Applications due by June 20, 2025. Visit www.tolibrary.org/libcon for more information and application details.
Gosh Yarn It
Friday, May 9 • 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm • GRB Community Room
Relax, crochet, and socialize at our crochet club! Beginners and experts alike are welcome to bring your own supplies and hang out with fellow crocheters as we sip tea and work on our projects. For ages 11+.
The Great Puzzle Race
Saturday, May 17 • 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Form a team of up to 4 people and race against other teams and the clock to complete a 500-piece puzzle in 2 hours. Registration required, one per team.
Maker Mondays: Cricut Machine
Monday, May 19 • 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm • GRB Teen Space
Discover the Cricut Maker 3—drop in, get inspired, and craft something cool! For ages 11+.
Taiko Drumming with Togen Daiko
Sunday May 25 • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm • GRB Community Room
Experience and learn about the Japanese art of Taiko Drumming from the performers of Togen Daiko.
LevelUp Lounge
Fridays • 10:00 am – 5:30 pm • GRB Teen Space
Access all ages gaming with the Library’s Xbox Game Pass! Hang out and relax with games like No Man’s Sky, Powerwash Simulator, Forza, Sea of Stars, and over 250 more options!
Board Games at the Library
Grant R. Brimhall Library
Stop by the Information Desk to borrow board games to play while inside the Library! Games available include Wingspan, Parks, Forbidden Island, and more.
Stay & Switch
Newbury Park Library
Join the fun by exploring our newest addition to the Library of Things. Stop by the Newbury Park Library Information Desk to check out a Nintendo Switch Lite, loaded with exciting digital games! You can borrow it with your library card and enjoy gaming while you’re in the Library.
KIDS
Homework Help
Mondays • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Tuesdays • 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Wednesdays & Thursdays • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm • GRB Community Room
Struggling with challenging school assignments? Our volunteers are here to help! For students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Runs September 2024 to May 2025; closed on CVUSD holidays and breaks. No Homework Help May 22 through May 29.
Dog Days
Thursday, May 1 • 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Tuesdays • 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm • GRB Children’s Program Room
Readers of all levels and abilities are invited to come and read to a certified therapy dog! Participants will sign up for a brief 10-minute session with a dog and their owner.
Music & Movement
Saturday, May 3 • 10:15 am – 10:45 am & 11:15 am – 11:45 am • GRB Community Room
Dance, clap, and sing along with Ms. Cheryl and her guitar during this fun, interactive program for ages 0-5 years. Registration required.
PACT Light with First 5 Ventura County
Fridays, May 9 &16 • 10:30 am – 11:15 am • NPL Meeting Room
Join First 5 Ventura County for a series of classes that mimic the Parent and Child Together (PACT) classes offered at Neighborhoods for Learning sites for children prenatal to 5 years. Classes include books, songs, music and movement, guided play with open-ended materials, and parent education.
Cardboard Explorations
Wednesday, May 14 • 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm • Newbury Park Library
Engineer new creations from recycled materials with Makedo tools. For grades K-5.
Writing Buddies
Thursday, May 15 • 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm • GRB Community Room
Students in grades 2-5 are invited to share their creativity by writing a short story. Registration preferred. Walk-ins welcome if space is available.
Note: Reading Buddies is on pause but returns this summer! Stay tuned for registration details.
Craft Fun
Friday, May 23 • 10:15 am – 11:15 am • GRB Community Room
Use your imagination and provided materials to create! For grades K-5.
Spring Storytimes & Playtime
Doors for Storytimes close 5 minutes after the program starts, and latecomers will not be admitted.
Baby Storytime
Tuesday, May 6 • 10:15 am – 10:35 am • GRB Community Room
This is a lapsit storytime for babies 0-12 months.
Toddler Storytime
Wednesday, May 7 • 10:15 am – 10:35 am & 11:00 am – 11:20 am • GRB Community Room
This is a toddler storytime for ages 12-36 months. Registration required.
Preschool Storytime
Thursdays, May 1 & 8 • 10:15 am – 11:00 am • GRB Community Room
This is a preschool storytime & craft for ages 3-5 years.
Newbury Park Toddler Storytime
Thursdays, May 1 & 8 • 10:15 am - 10:35 am • NPL Community Room
This is a toddler storytime for ages 12-36 months.
Bilingual Pajama Storytime
Monday, May 19 • 6:15 pm – 7:00 pm • GRB Community Room
Join us for a bilingual (English/Spanish) storytime and craft for ages 3-5. Walk-ins welcome!
Enrichment Playtime
Join us for 30 minutes of unstructured playtime from 10:15 am – 10:50 am.
For babies (0-12 months): Tuesday, May 13 • GRB Community Room
For toddlers (12-36 months): Wednesday, May 14 • GRB Community Room
For preschoolers (3-5 years): Thursday, May 15 • GRB Community Room
For NPL toddlers (12-36 months): Thursday, May 15 • NPL Meeting Room
TWEENS & TEENS
Study Kits for Tweens and Teens
Thursday, May 1 – Saturday, May 31
These study and mental wellness kits, created by our Thousand Oaks Teen Advisory League volunteers, are designed to support students during exams. We hope they help you succeed! Just for tweens and teens in grades 6-12. Available while supplies last.
Garland Flower Crowns & Bracelets
Friday, May 9 • 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm • GRB Teen Space
Create flower, garland, laurel or nature crowns or bracelets. Great for Mothers Day, Prom or just to celebrate spring! Just for tweens and teens grades 6-12. Registration required.
Reading Rocks Book Club
Tuesday, May 13 • GRB Children’s Program Room
Rocks (Grades 4-5): 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Boulders (Grades 6-8): 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Join us monthly to discuss books with strong female characters. This month’s books are Iceberg by Jennifer A. Nielsen for Rocks and Fish In a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt for Boulders. Registration required.
Books for Buttons and Boba
Come to the Library and pick-up a “Books for Buttons and Boba” form. Finish a book with more than 200 pages, get a button and enter for a chance for a Boba gift card. For grades 6-12.
Summer Teen Volunteers Needed!
The Library needs friendly teen volunteers during the Summer to help with Summer Reading Club and Library programs and activities. Apply ASAP for first choice in Library volunteer shifts. Volunteer shifts available June 16 through August 3 and Orientation Training sessions available starting in May. Go to www.tolibrary.org/teens for more information and application details.
ADULTS
Free Movie Matinées
Mondays, May 5 & 19 • 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm • GRB Community Room
Enjoy free movie matinées at the Library! Check our online schedule to see what’s playing and make your next afternoon a movie day.
Conversations with Mom
Tuesdays, May 6, 13, 20, & 27 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • GRB Community Room
This free support group is for moms and their newborns to get together, express their joys and concerns, and meet other new moms in the community. Other caregivers including fathers and grandparents are welcome to attend the program on the last Tuesday of the month.
Tomato Time: Secrets of Growing Perfect Tomatoes
Tuesday, May 6 • 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm • GRB Community Room
Join us to discover why Ventura County's Mediterranean climate makes it the perfect place to grow tomatoes. Registration recommended. Walk-ins welcome.
Virtual Author Talk - How to Use Anxiety to Thrive with Dr. David H. Rosmarin
Wednesday, May 7 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • Online
In this enlightening online webinar, you will learn how to use anxiety to become more self-accepting, connected to others, and resilient. Author of Thriving with Anxiety, Dr. Rosmarin’s constructive, compassionate, and evidence-based approach will not make you less anxious. Instead, it will empower you to use anxiety to thrive.
Music, Movies, and More
Wednesday, May 7 • 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Learn about three free resources you can access from anywhere with your library card and an internet connection: Freegal Music, Kanopy and Consumer Reports. Registration required.
Many Voices Book Club
Wednesday, May 7 • 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room
Join us in reading and discussing books in a wide variety of genres by authors from a wide variety of cultures. This month’s book is Real Americans by Rachel Khong. Walk-ins welcome.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Conversation Group
Thursday, May 8 • 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm • GRB Technology Training Room
Practice speaking English in an informal and friendly group setting, open to all non-native speakers. Registration preferred. Walk-ins welcome!
Discover, Define, Develop: A Career Workshop for All Stages
Saturday, May 10 • 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm • GRB Community Room
Whether you're exploring new opportunities or redefining your path, discover your potential with our introductory career development workshop hosted by Career Coach Deanna Gurrola. Registration recommended. Walk-ins welcome.
Happily Ever After Book Club
Monday, May 12 • 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room
Join us as we chat about our favorite romance novels, where a Happily Ever After (HEA)—or a Happily For Now (HFN)—is always guaranteed. This month’s book is Recipe for Persuasion
