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 following is a list of programs happening at the Thousand Oaks Library during the month of November, with GRB denoting Grant R. Brimhall Library and NPL denoting Newbury Park Library. All Library programs are free and open to the public; some require registration, and all are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice. For the latest information on Library events, visit www.tolibrary.org/calendar.
ALL AGES
Board Game Club
Tuesday, November 4 • 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm • GRB Teen Space
Love strategy board games but have a difficult time finding a consistent group to play with? Us too! Ages 14+ are invited to join us monthly to play games like Forbidden Island, Dungeon Mayhem, and Wingspan, or bring your own games to share with others!
The Great Puzzle Race
Saturday, November 8 • 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Form a team of 2 to 4 people and race against other teams and the clock to complete a 500-piece puzzle in 2 hours. One registration per team.
Gosh Yarn It
Friday, November 14 • 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+.
FTOL Book Sale
Saturday, November 15 • 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm • Newbury Park Library
Shoppers can enjoy fantastic bargains—5 books for just $1, unless otherwise marked. The sale will feature fiction and nonfiction titles for all ages, including a large selection of children’s winter holiday books. Early entry at 11:30 am for Friends members.
Maker Mondays: Thanksgiving
Monday, November 17 • 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm • GRB Teen Space
Stop by and choose a Thanksgiving-inspired design/experience using one or all of our ‘maker’ machines: Button maker, VR headset, 3D printer, and Cricut machine. For ages 11+.
Agents of Discovery: Power of the Card Missions
November • Both Libraries
Join us for a scavenger hunt to find out what you can do with your library card. To play, download the Agents of Discovery app, find the “Power of the Card” mission that corresponds to your library branch, and complete all eight challenges! For ages 11+.
Creating Comics: From Idea to Page with Jordan Morris
Saturday, December 6 • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm • GRB Community Room
Jordan Morris is a TV writer, podcaster and author of the graphic novels Bubble and Youth Group. He's also written for Archie Comics, Marvel and IDW's Godzilla. In this presentation, he'll explain how a comic book goes from idea to pitch to script to finished product! For ages 11+.
KIDS
In-N-Out Cover to Cover Club
Ends Saturday, November 15 • Both Libraries
Read 5 books or 300 minutes and earn a coupon for a free hamburger or cheeseburger at In-N-Out. For ages 4-12 only. To sign up, please speak with a librarian at the library. While supplies last.
Enrichment Playtime
For babies (0-12 months): Tuesday, November 4 • 10:15 am – 10:50 am
For toddlers (12-36 months): Wednesday, November 5 • 10:15 am – 10:50 am
For preschoolers (ages 3-5 years): Thursday, November 6 • 10:15 am – 10:50 am
Join us for 30 minutes of unstructured playtime in the GRB Community Room.
Homework Help
Tuesdays, November 4 & 18 • 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Wednesdays & Thursdays, November 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, & 20 • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm • GRB Community Room
Mondays, November 10 & 17 • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Struggling with challenging school assignments? Our volunteers are here to help! For students in kindergarten through 8th grade. September 2025 – May 2026, closed on all CVUSD holidays & breaks. No session on November 3, 11, & 24-28.
Dog Days
Tuesdays, November 4 & 18 • 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm • GRB Children’s Program Room
Thursday, November 6 • 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm • NPL Meeting 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. No session on November 11.
Reading Buddies (Waitlist Open)
Tuesday, November 4 • 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Wednesdays, November 5 & 12 • 3:10 pm – 3:40 pm or 3:45 pm – 4:15 pm • GRB Community Room
A weekly program for students in grades 1-4 to practice and gain confidence in their reading with the support of a volunteer. Registration required.
PACT with First 5 Ventura County
Friday, November 7 • 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.
Music & Movement
Saturday, November 8 • 10:15 am – 10:45 am & 11:15 am – 11:45 am • GRB Community Room
Dance, clap, and sing along with Ms. Cheryl Lev during this fun, interactive program. For ages 0-5 years. Registration required.
Future Einsteins - The Magic of Water!
Friday, November 14 • 4:30 pm – 5:15 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Learn about the magical properties of water and create your own water striders. Led by a Teen Volunteer. For ages 5-10 and grades 1-5. Registration required.
Pathways to Science: Light and Sound!
Friday, November 21 • 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm • GRB Community Room
Learn about the science of light and make some color filter glasses. Led by a Teen Volunteer. For ages 5-10 and grades 1-5. Registration required.
Children's Craft Table: Woven Paper Pumpkin
Friday, November 21 – Sunday, November 30 • Both Libraries
Stop by either library to weave a paper pumpkin. For ages 3+. While supplies last.
LEGO Play
Wednesday, November 26 • 10:15 am – 11:45 am • GRB Community Room
DUPLO® bricks are available for younger builders. Recommended for ages 5+.
TWEENS & TEENS
Coding Contest: Light Quest
Ends Sunday, November 30 • Virtual
Create a video game that guides the robots on their quest to reignite the light of Planet Fiero! Prizes for select winners! Log into your Fiero Code account or set up a free coding account through the Library for details to participate. For ages 8-18.
Financing and Preparing for College Workshops
Fridays, November 14 & 21 • 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room
Determine return on investment in education, career, and school finances on November 14 during the Comparing Schools & Costs session. Explore options to pay for school and discuss loans, interest, payback options, FAFSA, and other alternative resources on November 21 during the Financing School session. Taught by Financial Beginnings. Recommended ages 15+ or families preparing for college. Registration required.
Reading Rocks Book Club
Tuesday, November 18 • 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 Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery for Rocks and A Game of Noctis by Deva Fagan for Boulders. Registration required.
Books for Buttons, Boba, or Burgers
Come to the Library and pick up a “Books for Buttons, Boba, or Burgers” form. Finish reading a book with more than 200 pages, submit to get a pin button, and enter for a chance for a Boba or Burger gift card. Read more books for more chances to win. For ages 11-18.
ADULTS
Ask a Doula
Monday, November 3 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • GRB Children’s Program Room
Ask a Doula provides an open and welcoming space where families can ask questions about pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery, newborn care, and infant sleep. Led by Sharon Cody, PhD, a former scientist turned certified doula, the session combines evidence-based information with practical, real-life support. For expectant parents, new parents, and caregivers of young children. Babies and little ones are welcome!
Conversations with Mom
Tuesdays, November 4, 18, & 25 • 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. No session on November 11.
Community, Power, and the Search for Indigenous Identity with Award-Winning Journalist Joseph Lee
Wednesday, November 5 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • Virtual
You’re invited to learn from journalist and author Joseph Lee as he chats online with us about his stirring memoir, Nothing More of This Land: Community, Power, and the Search for Indigenous Identity. In it, he explores Indigenous identity in proximity to land that serves as an iconic vacation spot for the wealthy — the “island paradise” of Martha’s Vineyard.
Using LinkedIn Learning
Wednesday, November 5 • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Thursday, November 20 • 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Technology Training Room
Learn relevant, professional skills through LinkedIn Learning; free with a Thousand Oaks Library card. Registration required.
Many Voices Book Club
Wednesday, November 5 • 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 Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley. Walk-ins welcome.
Crafternoon
Friday, November 7 • 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Community Room
Friday, November 21 • 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Adults are invited to join us at the Library to socialize and make a different craft each month! This month, we will be making a Punch Needle Coaster. Materials provided. Registration required.
Happily Ever After Book Club
Monday, November 10 • 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 The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava. Walk-ins welcome.
Introduction to 3D Printing
Wednesday, November 12 • 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room
Learn the basics of 3D Printing as well as how to use Tinkercad, a free, easy-to-use web app for 3D modeling. In this class, you will use Tinkercad to create a name tag suitable for 3D printing. Registration required.
Spanish at Your Library
Wednesday, November 12 • 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room
Advanced & intermediate learners are invited to join our informal Spanish conversation group to practice and improve with fellow language lovers, guided by a native speaker! Registration recommended. Walk-ins welcome.
Open Mic Poetry Nights
Wednesday, November 12 • 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Come listen to local poets and share your own work every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, in collaboration with The Ventura County Poetry Project. No session on November 26.
The Search for Truth and the Persistence of Love Across Time with Novelist Amanda Peters
Thursday, November 13 • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm • Virtual
Join us in an online conversation with acclaimed writer Amanda Peters as we discuss her instant bestselling novel, The Berry Pickers, as well as her tender short fiction collection, Waiting for the Long Night Moon: Stories.
ESL (English as a Second Language) Conversation Group
Thursday, November 13 • 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.
Movie Matinées
Monday, November 17 • 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.
Unlock the Secret Language of Connection with Supercommunicator Charles Duhigg
Tuesday, November 18 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • Virtual
Get yourself primed for the holiday season and join us for an online conversation you won't want to miss! Charles Duhigg, author of the bestselling books The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better, presents the ultimate guide to communicating and connecting with anyone at work, home, and in life in his latest work, Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection.
Artificial Intelligence: Is it Real?
Wednesday November 19 • 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Join us for a discussion on ‘Artificial Intelligence’ as speaker Craig Reinhart, Ph.D., defines the term, reflects on AI's past and present, and talks philosophically about our ability to create an ‘Intelligent’ being.
Sedalia Ragtime Orchestra
Wednesday November 19 • 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm • GRB Community Room
The Sedalia Ragtime Orchestra will perform a selection of ragtime music from between 1897 and 1917 at the Grant R. Brimhall Library.
ON THE REGULAR
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.
Dungeons and Dragons Starter Kit
Grant R. Brimhall Library
The Thousand Oaks Library offers Dungeons & Dragons Starter Kits, each packed with guides, handbooks, a game master screen, dice sets, and more for D&D 5th Edition. Find them alongside the Book Club in a Box collection. Perfect for your next adventure!
Stay & Switch
Newbury Park Library
Level up your visit with the Nintendo Switch Lite, available to borrow with your library card at the Newbury Park Library Information Desk. Loaded with fun digital games, the Switch Lite is perfect for in-library play. Come check it out and enjoy some gaming time!
