Upcoming Events and Free Programs at the Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park Branch Libraries

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 June, 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, please visit www.tolibrary.org/calendar.

The following is a list of programs happening at the Thousand Oaks Library during LibCon at Grant R. Brimhall Library (GRB). All programs are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice. For the latest information on Library events, please visit www.tolibrary.org/calendar.

DIWALI AT YOUR LIBRARY

Diwali Celebration

Sunday, October 12 • 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm • Grant R. Brimhall Library

Join India Friends Association and the Thousand Oaks Library in this cultural celebration! Enjoy activities, informative displays, a kids’ craft table, a scavenger hunt, and more as we honor this rich tradition. Whether you’re learning about Diwali for the first time or are a seasoned celebrator, all are welcome.

Henna with Suchita

Sunday, October 12 • 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm • GRB Community Room

A henna artist with over 20 years of experience, Suchita weaves her creativity into unique designs, inviting others to experience the beauty and tradition of henna art. Suchita will be offering small henna designs during the Diwali Celebration.

The Significance of Diwali

Sunday, October 12 • 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm • GRB Community Room

Enjoy an interactive skit by children and a short film on the Ramayana, the epic tale of

King Rama, Queen Sita, and Hanuman, whose triumph over evil is celebrated during

Diwali. Meet costumed characters for photos and questions. For ages 4+.

Bollywood Dance Class

Sunday, October 12 • 2:00 pm– 2:45 pm • GRB Community Room

Fun dance tutorial for all ages and skill levels with Monica Sarin of Dance Bollywood Dance.

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AT YOUR LIBRARY

Live Classical Guitar with Andre Giraldo

Saturday, October 4 • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm • GRBCommunity Room

Join us for an afternoon performance by classical guitarist Andre Giraldo. For all ages.

Sound Bath Healing with Raising Mami Alchemy

Saturday, October 11 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • NPL Art Gallery

A sound bath is a meditative experience where participants relax while listening to soothing, resonant sounds created by instruments like sound bowls, gongs, and chimes. Raising Mami Alchemy’s mission is to create a harmonious and nurturing bilingual space (English/Spanish) for families to thrive through the power of healing arts. Space is limited. Be sure to bring a yoga mat or blanket. This event is for teens 16+ and adults.

CLU Mariachi Ensemble

Sunday, October 26 • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm • GRB Community Room

The Cal Lutheran Mariachi Ensemble, directed by Rocio Marron, will perform a selection of vibrant and emotive pieces that showcase the depth and energy of this beloved genre.

ALL AGES

Board Game Club

Tuesday, October 7 • 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!

Gosh Yarn It

Friday, October 10 • 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+.

Maker Mondays: Halloween

Monday, October 20 • 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm • GRB Teen Space

Stop by and choose a Halloween-inspired design/experience using one or all of our ‘maker’ machines: Button maker, VR headset, 3D printer, and Cricut machine. For ages 11+.

Local Author Fair

Saturday, October 25 • 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm • Grant R. Brimhall Library

Meet and celebrate local authors from the Conejo Valley, Ventura County, and the Los Angeles area! Browse books, get them signed, and connect with fellow readers and writers. This year, a selection of participating authors will also share their work through live readings and discussions, giving you a unique chance to hear the stories behind the stories.

KIDS

Homework Help

Wednesdays & Thursdays, October 1, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, & 30 • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm • GRB Community Room

Mondays, October 6, 13, 20, & 27 • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Tuesdays, October 7, 14, 21, & 28 • 2:30 pm – 4:30 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 October 2nd.

Reading Buddies

Wednesdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 • 3:10 pm – 3:40 pm or 3:45 pm – 4:15 pm • GRB Community Room

Tuesdays, October 7, 14, 21, & 28 • 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm • NPL Meeting 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.

Dog Days

Thursday, October 2 • 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Tuesdays, October 7, 14, 21, & 28 • 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.

In-N-Out Cover to Cover Club

Saturday, October 4 – 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.

Music & Movement

Saturday, October 11 • 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 - Center of Gravity

Friday, October 17 • 4:30 pm – 5:15 pm • GRB Community Room

Learn about the center of gravity and more by creating your own balancing creatures! Led by a Teen Volunteer. For ages 5-10 and grades 1-5. Registration required.

PACT with First 5 Ventura County

Friday, October 24 • 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 from prenatal to 5 years. Classes include books, songs, music and movement, guided play with open-ended materials, and parent education.

Pathways to Science: Mechanics - Robotic Hand

Friday, October 24 • 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Join us to build a robotic hand and learn how mechanics make the world work! Led by a Teen Volunteer. For ages 5-10 and grades 1-5. Registration required.

Craft Table: Jack-o-Lantern

Wednesday, October 29 – Friday, October 31 • Both Libraries

Stop by either library to decorate a paper Jack-o-Lantern. For ages 3+. While supplies last.

STORYTIMES & PLAYTIMES

Toddler Storytime

Wednesday, October 1, 15, 22, & 29 • 10:15 am – 10:35 am & 11:00 am – 11:20 am • GRB Community Room

A toddler storytime for ages 12-36 months. Registration required.

Preschool Storytime

Thursday, October 2, 23, & 30 • 10:15 am – 11:00 am • GRB Community Room

A preschool storytime & craft for ages 3-5 years. Walk-ins welcome!

Enrichment Playtime

Join us for 30 minutes of unstructured playtime in the GRB Community Room.

For babies (0-12 months): Tuesday, October 7 • 10:15 am – 10:50 am

For toddlers (12-36 months): Wednesday, October 8 • 10:15 am – 10:50 am

For preschoolers (ages 3-5 years): Thursday, October 9 • 10:15 am – 10:50 am

Baby Storytime

Tuesdays, October 14, 21, & 28 • 10:15 am – 10:35 am • GRB Community Room

A lapsit storytime for babies 0-12 months. Walk-ins welcome!

Bilingual Pajama Storytime

Monday, October 27 • 6:15 pm – 7:00 pm • GRB Community Room

A bilingual (English/Spanish) storytime & craft for ages 3-5 years. Walk-ins welcome!

Newbury Park Toddler Storytime

Thursday, October 30 • 10:15 am – 10:35 am • NPL Meeting Room

A toddler storytime for ages 12-36 months. Registration required.

TWEENS & TEENS

Coding Contest: Light Quest

Wednesday, October 1 – 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 Workshop

Fridays, October 10 • 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room

Career & Education Path: Identify skills, explore salaries and careers, determine educational requirements, and research schools. Taught by Financial Beginnings. Recommended ages 15+ or families preparing for college.

Reading Rocks Book Club

Tuesday, October 14 • 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 The Carrefour Curse by Dianne K Salerni for Rocks and The Appearing House by Ally Malinenko for Boulders. Registration required.

Animal Portraits

Thursday, October 16 • 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm • GRB Teen Space

Create a 3D animal portrait out of egg carton and recycled crafts with CReATE STUDIO. For ages 11-18. Registration required.

Applying for College - Info Session

Thursday, October 23 • 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room

Thursday, October 30 • 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Get important information about preparing for college. Learn about applying to a community college, various programs offered, financial aid (FAFSA and CA Dream Act), and student support programs. Ask your questions to a Ventura College outreach specialist. Recommended for high school and college-bound students and parents. 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 at a Boba or Burger gift card. Read more books for more chances to win. For ages 11-18.

ADULTS

New West Symphony: Meet the Artist with Inna Faliks

Wednesday, October 1 • 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm • GRB Community Room

New West Symphony provides a unique ‘behind the scenes’ experience with Maestro Michael Christie. Learn about the artist’s musical insights, illustrious careers, and fascinating beginnings, and enjoy an intimate musical performance.

Many Voices Book Club

Wednesday, October 1 • 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 Long After We Are Gone by Terah Shelton Harris. Walk-ins welcome.

Nuestra América: Stories of 30 Inspiring Latinas/Latinos Who Have Shaped the United States with Smithsonian Educators

Thursday, October 2 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • Virtual

Join us in conversation with Smithsonian professionals Adrián Aldaba and Emily Key as they discuss Nuestra América and highlight inspiring stories of Latinos throughout history, as well as their incredible contributions to the cultural, social, and political character of the United States.

Movie Matinées

Mondays, October 6 & 20 • 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, October 7, 21, & 28 • 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 October 14th.

Spanish at Your Library

Wednesday, October 8 • 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, October 8 • 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Wednesday, October 22 • 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm • GRB Community 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.

10 Years of Daring Heists and Lovable Outcasts in YA Fantasy with Leigh Bardugo

Thursday, October 9 • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm • Virtual

Since publishing in 2015, Leigh Bardugo’s highly popular Six of Crows has taken the world of YA literature by storm–and it’s not hard to see why. The complex fantasy setting, thoughtfully-structured magic system, and deliciously morally gray characters all collide in a world you won’t want to leave, and you don’t have to! Join us as we pick the brain of the New York Times bestselling author herself, celebrating the release of her Six of Crows (The Dregs Edition).

English as a Second Language (ESL) Conversation Group

Thursday, October 9 • 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.

Building Connections and Achieving Career Goals: A Career Development Workshop

Monday, October 13 • 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Learn how to build meaningful relationships, expand your network, and set career goals that drive success. Hosted by Career Coach Deanna Gurrola. Registration recommended. Walk-ins welcome.

Happily Ever After Book Club

Monday, October 13 • 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 Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver. Walk-ins welcome.

What Can We Do to Protect, Improve, and Nurture our Soils?

Tuesday, October 14 • 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm • GRB Community Room

Learn about the importance of nurturing our garden’s soil. Registration recommended. Walk-ins welcome.

Using AI: Some Tips and Tricks

Wednesday, October 15 • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Tuesday, October 28 • 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room

Gain confidence with AI by exploring a selection of artificial intelligence tools. Registration required.

Crafternoon

Friday, October 17 • 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Friday, October 24 • 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Community 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 Fall Bucket List. Materials provided. Registration required.

Fall Story Slam: Story Submissions

Submissions due by Sunday, October 19th

Writers 18 and older are invited to submit a story based on the themes of change, gratitude, and/or origins. Stories must be submitted by Sunday, October 19th, at the Information Desk at either the Grant R. Brimhall or Newbury Park Libraries, or emailed to info@tolibrary.org with the subject heading “Story Slam.” Stories must be between 1,500-1,800 words. The reading of the top 8 stories will be held in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room on Saturday, November 1st, at 3:00 pm. All readers will be notified on Friday, October 24th.

Finding My Way with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai

Wednesday, October 22 • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm • Virtual

You are invited to join us online and be one of the first to hear from Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai about her astonishing memoir, Finding My Way. Malala reintroduces herself to the world, sharing how she navigated life as someone whose darkest moments threatened to define her narrative—while seeking the freedom to find out who she truly is.

All About Roses

Wednesday, October 22 • 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Learn to differentiate between different types of roses, and how to plant, care for, and prune them. Registration recommended. Walk-ins welcome.

Microsoft Word Basics

Thursday October 23 • 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Learn the basics of Microsoft Word, including how to use and navigate the available tools to write papers, resumes, invoices, and more.

Courtly Intrigue and Whispers as Weapons with Historical Fiction Queen Philippa Gregory

Wednesday, October 29 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • Virtual

Coined as the “queen of British historical fiction,” Philippa Gregory returns to the infamous Tudor Court with a tale that is both timely and timeless. We invite you to sit down with us for an intriguing conversation with Gregory about her newest novel, Boleyn Traitor (forthcoming October 14, 2025).

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!