Upcoming Events and Free Programs at the Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park Branch Libraries
/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.
March 2024 Programs:
ALL AGES
Bookmark Contest
Pick up a bookmark contest form from the library and design your own original bookmark on the 2024 Summer Reading theme Adventure Begins at Your Library! For grades K-Adult. All entries must be designed and submitted on the Bookmark Design Contest Form. Entries are due April 30, 2024. For more information and rules, please visit www.tolibrary.org/src & read the contest form.
Sean Gaskell Concert
Kora Player Sean Gaskell will perform a demonstration and education presentation about the traditional West African Instrument. This program will be held on Thursday, March 14 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Community Room.
Women Composers with Ann Erwin and Paul Switzler
Flutists Ann Erwin and Paul Switzler will present a program of music by women composers in celebration of Womens History Month. Composers whose works will be performed include Clara Schumann, Princess Anna Amalia of Prussia, Lili Boulanger, Katherine Hoover, and Peggy Glanville-Hicks. This program will be held on Saturday, March 24 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Community Room.
OCOB Kick off with Chili Beatz & Beautiful Henna with Suchita
Kick off this year’s One City, One Book with Southern California's top Bollywood band, Chili Beatz. Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of live Bollywood music. Additionally, Suchita, an experienced henna artist with more than 20 years of skill, will be offering small henna designs during the Chili Beatz concert. This program will be held on Saturday, March 30 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Library.
LevelUp Lounge
Stop by the Grant R. Brimhall Teen Space on Fridays for access to 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!
KIDS
Future Einsteins: Food Webs & Food Chains
We'll be exploring the flow of energy through the natural world with food chains and food webs. Led by Teen Volunteers. For Grades 1-5. This program will be held on Saturday, March 2 from 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room. Registration required.
Homework Help Center
Need help with homework? Want to improve your math or reading skills? Don't know much about history? Great news! Students in Grades K-8 can get help with homework from volunteers at the library. The Homework Help Center is open at the Newbury Park Library Meeting Room on Mondays from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, Tuesdays from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm, and at the Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room on Wednesdays & Thursdays from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Closed on all CVUSD holidays and breaks.
Make & Take: Leprechaun Traps
Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day by creating your own Leprechaun Trap. For grades K-5th. This program will be held on Monday, March 4, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room, and on Wednesday, March 6, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Newbury Park Library Meeting Room. Registration required.
Dog Days
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. This program will be held every Tuesday from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Children’s Program Room, and on Thursday, March 7 from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm in the Newbury Park Library Meeting Room.
Reading Buddies (Registration Is Full)
Helping students in Grades 1-4 practice reading and gain read aloud confidence! This program will be held on Tuesdays from 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm in the Newbury Park Library Meeting Room, and on Wednesdays from 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm or 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room. Registration Required.
Music & Movement
Dance, clap and sing along with Ms. Cheryl and her guitar during this fun, interactive program for ages 0-5 years. This program will be held on Saturday, March 9, from 10:15 am to 10:45 am and 11:15 am to 11:45 am in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room. Registration required.
Writing Buddies
Let's Roll-a-Story! This activity engages students in Grades 2-5 by providing elements of storytelling while simultaneously supporting skills such as brainstorming and creative writing. This program will be held on Thursday, March 14, from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room. Registration required.
Mini Masters: Hokusai
Join us for an art history story and craft. Explore the art of Hokusai and create a woodblock print. For ages 5-10. Led by a Teen Volunteer. This program will be held on Sunday, March 24 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Children's Program Room. Registration Required.
Storytimes & Playtime
Baby Storytime
Join us at the Grant R. Brimhall Library for 20 minutes of storytelling fun! This is a lap-sit storytime for babies 0-12 months. This program will be held on Tuesday, March 5 & 12 from 10:15 am to 10:35 am. Walk-ins welcome.
Toddler Storytime
Join us at the Grant R. Brimhall Library for 20 minutes of storytelling fun! This is a toddler storytime for ages 12-36 months. This program will be held on Wednesday, March 6 from 10:15 am to 10:35 am and 11:00 am to 11:20 am. Registration required.
Preschool Storytime
Join us at the Grant R. Brimhall Library for 30 minutes of storytelling fun and a small craft! This is a storytime for ages 3-5 years. This program will be held on Thursday, March 7 & 14 from 10:15 am to 11:00 am. Walk-ins welcome.
Newbury Park Toddler Storytime
Join us at the Newbury Park Library for 20 minutes of storytelling fun! This is a toddler storytime for ages 12-36 months. This program will be held on Thursday, March 7 & 14 from 1:15 pm to 1:35 pm. Walk-ins welcome.
Bilingual Pajama Storytime
Join us at the Grant R. Brimhall Library for a bilingual (Spanish/English) storytime and craft for ages 3-5 years. This program will be held on Monday, March 25 from 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm. Walk-ins welcome.
Enrichment Playtime
Join us for 35 minutes of unstructured playtime. For babies ages 0-12 months, this program will be held on Tuesday, March 19 from 10:15 am to 10:50 am at the Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room. For toddlers ages 12-36 months, this program will be held on Wednesday, March 20 from 10:15 am to 10:50 am at the Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room and on Thursday, March 21 from 1:15 pm to 1:50 pm at the Newbury Park Library Meeting Room. For preschoolers aged 3-5 years, this program will be held on Thursday, March 21 from 10:15 am to 10:50 am at the Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room.
TEENS & TWEENS
Reading for Brag Tags
Get a Brag Tag for every book you finish with more than 100 pages. Submission form and details at the Library. Only for Grades 6-12. This program will be held from March 1 to April 15. Get your Brag Tag(s) before April 15. While supplies last.
Games in the Teen Space
Get your game face on and dive into a world of board game fun with friends at the Library, then level up your Fridays with epic video game showdowns at the LevelUp Lounge! For Grades 6-12. This program will be held from March through April in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Teen Space.
Reading Rocks Book Club
Join us monthly to discuss books with strong female characters. For Grades 4-5, Rocks, the program will be from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. For Grades 6-8, Boulders, the program will be from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All sessions will be held on Tuesday, March 12 in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Children's Program Room. Registration Required.
Coding Club (Registration Is Full)
Members will learn how to program using Java and work together to create software with the group, as well as being able to create, present, and see other personal/group projects on a regular basis. Led by Teen Volunteers. Only for Grades 6-12. This program will be held on every other Monday from January through April, from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Technology Training Room. Registration required & must attend most meetings (March 18, and Apr 1, 15, & 29).
eComic Book Club (Virtual)
Read comics, graphic novels and manga from our ComicsPlus catalog on your phone, tablet, or computer. Join us in an online safe space where we can discuss with other fans of eComics. This month we will read and discuss Avatar: The Last Airbender–The Search Omnibus by Gene Luen Yang. For ages 13-18. This program will be held virtually on the fourth Thursday of the month January through May, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Registration required, details to join will be sent after registration (March 28, April 25, May 23).
Books for Buttons & 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. This program is held at both library branches.
Volunteer at the Library!
A variety of volunteer opportunities are available for teens throughout the year. Check the website regularly for new postings. Homework Help tutors, special events and programs, and Thousand Oaks Teen Advisory League (TOTAL) opportunities are available.
Eclipse Pencil Pouches
Decorate a black pencil case with glow in the dark paints to make an eclipse, stars or galaxies. Only for Grades 6-12. This program will be held from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Tuesday, April 2 in the Grant R. Brimhall Teen Space, and on Wednesday, April 3 in the Newbury Park Library Tech Space. Registration Required. *All attendees will get Eclipse Glasses for the upcoming Eclipse on April 8, 2024.
ADULTS
Tea Tasting Kit
Experience the rich flavors of India! Each kit includes a tea bag and one of the following loose-leaf teas: Darjeeling First Flush, Darjeeling Second Flush, Masala Chai, or CTC Assam. Kits available at both libraries. Starting Wednesday, February 28. While supplies last.
Free Movie Matinée
Watch free movie matinées at the library! View the movie schedule online. This program will be held from 1:00 pm to 3:30pm on March 1 in the Newbury Park Library Meeting Room, and on March 11, 23, & 25 in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room.
Conversations with Mom
This free support group is for moms and their newborns to get together in a relaxed environment to express their joys and concerns. A safe place to ask questions and meet other new moms in the community. This program will be held on Tuesdays, March 5, 12, 19, & 26 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room.
Board Game Club
Adults are invited to join us monthly to play strategy board games like Forbidden Island, Dungeon Mayhem, and Wingspan. This program will be held on March 5 & 19 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room.
Mindful Art Studio
Unleash your creativity! Select from an array of relaxing art activities like coloring, dot-to-dot art, sticker-by-numbers, scratch art, and more. All materials provided. This program will be held on Friday, March 8 from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm in the Grant. R. Brimhall Library Community Room.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Conversation Group
Practice speaking English in an informal and friendly group setting. All skill levels are welcome, from beginners to advanced. Adults and teens 14+. This program will be held on Thursday, March 14 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Tech Training Room. Registration preferred. Walk-ins welcome if space allows.
Happily Ever After Book Club
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 Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean. This program will be held on Monday, March 11 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Technology Training Room.
Spanish at Your Library
Intermediate and advanced learners will gain a better understanding of how to express themselves in Spanish under the gentle guidance and support of a language-learning professional. Adults and teens 14+. This program will be held on Wednesday, March 13 & 27 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Technology Training Room. Registration preferred. Walk-ins are welcome if space allows.
Open Mic Poetry Nights
Come listen to local poets and share your own work! Poets include members of the Ventura County Poetry Project, local poets, and special guest readers. This program will be held from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, March 13 & 27 in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room.
Crafternoon
Adults are invited to join us to socialize and make a different craft each month! This month we will be crocheting granny squares. Materials provided. This program will be held on Friday, March 15 from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm in the Newbury Park Library Meeting Room and on Friday, March 22 from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room. Registration required.
Many Voices Book Club (Hybrid)
Join us in reading and discussing books in a wide variety of genres by authors from a wide variety of cultures. Our book this month is Horse Barbie by Geena Rocero. Walk-ins welcome. This program will be held on Wednesday, March 20 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Tech Training Room. Register to attend via Zoom. Walk-ins welcome.
Bringing the Wild Things to Your Garden
Bob Sussman from Matilija Nursery speaks about landscaping with California native plants and ways to attract wildlife to enhance your garden. This program will be held on Wednesday, March 20 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm in the Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room.