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 May at Grant R. Brimhall Library (GRB) and Newbury Park Library (NPL). 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.
ALL AGES
Board Game Club
Tuesday, May 5 • 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. • GRB Teen Space
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! Crochet Club
Friday, May 8 • 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. • 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 Monday
Monday, May 18 • 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. • GRB Teen Space
Stop by and choose a design/experience using one or all of our ‘maker’ machines: Button maker, VR headset, 3D printer, and Cricut machine. For ages 11+.
A Classical Afternoon with Project Peace by Piece
Saturday May 23 • 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. • GRB Community Room
Student Orchestra Project Peace by Piece will perform classical music in the Grant R Brimhall Library Community Room.
The Great Puzzle Race
Saturday, May 23 • 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. • 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. Registration required.
CHILDREN
Wild Watercolor *New Program*
Friday, May 1 • 4:30 – 5:30 pm • GRB Children’s Program Room
Let your creativity run wild for an hour of watercolor painting. For ages 6-11. Registration required.
Homework Help
Mondays • 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. • NPL Meeting Room
Tuesdays • 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. • NPL Meeting Room
Wednesdays & Thursdays • 3:00 – 5:00 pm • GRB Community Room
Struggling with school assignments? Our friendly volunteers are here to help students in kindergarten through 8th grade succeed! September 2025 – May 2026, closed on all CVUSD holidays & breaks. No sessions Wednesday, May 27, or Thursday, May 28.
Dog Days
Tuesdays • 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. • GRB Children’s Program Room
Thursday, May 7 • 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. • 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.
Reading Buddies
Tuesdays, May 5, 12, & 19 • 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. • NPL Meeting Room
Wednesdays, May 6, 13, & 20 • 3:10 – 3:40 pm or 3:45 – 4:15 p.m. • GRB Community Room
A weekly program for students grades 1-4 to practice and gain confidence in their reading with the support of a volunteer. Registration required.
Music Time with Mr. Michael
Thursday, May 21 • 10:15 – 10:45 a.m. & 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. • GRB Community Room
In this fun-filled, interactive concert, Mr. Michael creates a joyful atmosphere for kids and parents alike. For families. Registration required.
PACT with First 5 Ventura County
Thursday, May 21 • 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. • 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
Thursday, May 28 • 10:15 – 10:45 a.m. & 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. • GRB Community Room
Dance, clap, and sing along with Ms. Cheryl Lev during this fun, interactive program. For ages 0-5. Registration required.
Los Robles Children's Choir: Family Singalong
Saturday, May 30 • 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. • GRB Community Room
Bring the whole family for a fun-filled Singalong, featuring live piano accompaniment and singers from Los Robles Children's Choir. Get ready for an afternoon of joyful singing for all ages!
VibeWell Ventura County is a countywide initiative that celebrates the arts as a pathway to mental wellness, connection, and community vitality. Through partnerships and events, VibeWell integrates the proven mental health benefits of creativity into the fabric of Ventura County.
STORYTIMES & PLAYTIMES
Baby Storytime
Tuesday, May 5 • 10:15 – 10:35 a.m. • GRB Community Room
A lapsit storytime for babies 0-12 months. Walk-ins welcome!
Toddler Storytime
Wednesday, May 6 • 10:15 – 10:35 a.m. • GRB Community Room
A storytime for ages 12-36 months. Walk-ins welcome!
Preschool Storytime
Thursday, May 7 • 10:15 – 11:00 a.m. • GRB Community Room
This is a 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, May 12 • 10:15 – 10:50 a.m.
For toddlers (12-36 months) • Wednesday, May 13 • 10:15 – 10:50 a.m.
For preschoolers (ages 3-5 years) • Thursday, May 14 • 10:15 – 10:50 a.m.
TWEENS & TEENS
Teen Volunteers Wanted!
Looking for a fun way to give back this summer? The Thousand Oaks Library is seeking enthusiastic, friendly teens to help make the Summer Reading Club (SRC) a huge success. With flexible shifts throughout the summer, it’s a great opportunity to support your library and community while building customer service and teamwork skills. For teens ages 14-17. Details online. Apply ASAP!
Library Research Scavenger Hunt - Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI)
Friday, May 1 – Sunday, May 31
Visit the Library in May and challenge your search skills by finding books and virtual resources. Complete the AAPI Library Research Scavenger Hunt form and turn it in to get a lucky cat keychain*. For ages 11-18. *One per person while supplies last.
Pipe Cleaner Flowers
Thursday, May 7 • 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. • GRB Teen Space
Use pipe cleaners to create a flower bouquet. For ages 11-18. Registration required.
Reading Rocks Book Club
Tuesday, May 12 • GRB Children’s Program Room
Rocks (Grades 4-5): 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Boulders (Grades 6-8): 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Join us monthly to discuss books with strong female characters. This month’s Rock selection is Stand Up Yumi Chung by Jessica Kim. This month’s Boulder selection is Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed. Registration required.
Books for Buttons, Boba, or Burgers
Visit 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
The Library’s App!
Monday, May 4 • 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. • GRB Technology Training Room
Discover all the cool things you can do with the Thousand Oaks Library’s App, including searching the catalog, checking your account, and borrowing material if you’ve forgotten your library card! Registration required.
Conversations with Mom
Tuesdays, May 5, 12, 19, & 26 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. • 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.
On Courage, Turmoil, and the Transformative Power of Love with Marjan Kamali
Thursday, May 7 • 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. • Online
Join us for an exciting conversation with internationally acclaimed author Marjan Kamali as we delve into the timeless wonder of her New York Times bestselling novel, The Lion Women of Tehran.
Friendly Book Discussion Group (Hybrid)
Thursday, May 7 • 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. • GRB Technology Training Room or Online
The Friendly Book Discussion Group meets on the first Thursday of every month. This month’s book is The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Walk-ins welcome.
Gardening Tools: Tool School – Basic to Brilliant
Saturday, May 9 • 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. • NPL Meeting Room
Discover the tools every gardener needs and learn how to create your own gardening wish list with tools that match your unique needs. Registration recommended. Walk-ins welcome.
Movie Matinée
Monday, May 11 • 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. • 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.
Happily Ever After Book Club
Monday, May 11 • 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. • GRB Technology Training Room
The Happily Ever After Book Club meets on the second Monday of every month to talk about our favorite romance novels. This month’s book is Stalked by the Kraken by Lillian Lark. Walk-ins welcome.
How to Robot-Proof Your Kids (and Yourself) with Dr. Vivienne Ming
Tuesday, May 12 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. • Online
Join us for a timely conversation on AI, humanity, and the next steps towards building a better future with self-proclaimed “mad scientist” Dr. Vivienne Ming as we discuss her new book, Robot-Proof: When Machines Have All the Answers, Build Better People.
Microsoft Word Basics
Tuesday, May 12 • 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. • GRB Technology Training Room
Learn the basics of Microsoft Word, including how to use and navigate the available tools to write papers, resumes, invoices, and more. Registration required.
Excel Basics 1: Working with Text
Thursday, May 14 • 12:30 – 2:15 p.m. • NPL Tech Space
Become familiar with Microsoft Excel and learn about tools that can help you stay organized. Registration required.
ESL (English as a Second Language) Conversation Group
Thursday, May 14 • 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. • GRB Technology Training Room
Practice speaking English in an informal and friendly group setting, open to all non-native speakers. Registration recommended, walk-ins welcome.
History Book Discussion Group
Thursday, May 14 • 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. • Goebel Adult Community Center
The History Book Discussion Group meets on the second Thursday of every month. This month’s book is One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad. Walk-ins welcome.
Crafternoon
Friday, May 15 • 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. • 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 Framed Button Flowers. Materials provided. Registration required.
Kumihimo Braiding Workshop
Sunday May 17 • 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. • GRB Community Room
CSUCI and Ventura College professor Dani Kwan will instruct a guided workshop on creating Japanese Kumihimo braids using a Marudai loom. Registration required.
Reshape Your Beliefs and Unlock Your True Potential with Nir Eyal
Tuesday, May 19 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. • Online
What if the only thing standing between you and the seemingly impossible…was belief? This is the question posed by bestselling author Nir Eyal in his new work, Beyond Belief.
Cybersecurity Basics
Wednesday, May 20 • 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. • NPL Meeting Room
Join us as we explore ways to be safe online and to protect yourself from scams. Registration required.
Spanish at Your Library
Wednesday, May 20 • 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. • 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.
Memory Lab *New Program*
Tuesday, May 26 • 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. • GRB Tech Training Room
The Memory Lab is a space for free, do-it-yourself digitization of video, sound recordings, and other media. Join us for an information session on how the Memory Lab works! Registration required.
Excel Basics 2: Working with Numbers
Thursday, May 28 • 12:30 – 2:15 p.m. • NPL Tech Space
Become familiar with Microsoft Excel and learn about tools that can help you stay organized. Registration required.
ON THE REGULAR
LevelUp Lounge
Fridays • 10:00 am – 5:30 p.m. • 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 Kit
Grant R. Brimhall Library
The Thousand Oaks Library offers Dungeons & Dragons 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!
