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 October, with GRB denoting Grant R. Brimhall Library, and NPL denoting Newbury Park Library. All programs are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice. For the latest information on Library events, please visit www.tolibrary.org/calendar.
Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the City:
The Great Puzzle Race
Saturday, October 19 • 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, with the fastest or most completed puzzle winning. This puzzle race will showcase a special puzzle featuring the photography of Ed Lawrence to celebrate his 100th birthday. Registration required. One registration per team.
Commemorative Ed Lawrence Library Cards
Launching in mid-October, these special edition cards feature images from the Ed Lawrence Collection, showcasing unique moments from our community's history. For new library card registrants, these cards allow you to carry a piece of Conejo Valley’s history with you wherever you go! Get a library card today!
ALL AGES:
Gosh Yarn It
Friday, October 11 • 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+.
Project Peace by Piece Concert
Saturday, October 12 • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm • GRB Community Room
Experience the magic of live classical music with Project Peace by Piece at the Thousand Oaks Library!
Diwali Celebration
Wednesday, October 30 – Friday, November 1
Stop by the Library for fun activities and crafts honoring the Festival of Lights. More details to come.
Día de los Muertos Celebration
Saturday, November 2 • 11:00 am – 4:00 pm • Newbury Park Library
Join us at the Newbury Park Library for a special Dia de los Muertos celebration. Enjoy cultural activities, crafts, and more as we honor this rich tradition. Stay tuned for more details.
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!
Book a Librarian
Grant R. Brimhall Library • 805-449-2660, option 4 • 30-minute appointments
Newbury Park Library • 805-498-2139, option 3 • 45-minute appointments
Free one-on-one technology help. Please contact the Information Desk to make an appointment.
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 on October 2, 3, 21, or 31.
Reading Buddies
Tuesdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 • 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Wednesdays, October 9, 16, 23 & 30 • 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm or 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm • GRB Community Room
A weekly program for students grades 1-4 to practice and gain confidence in their reading with the help of an interactive volunteer.
Dog Days
Tuesdays • 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm • GRB Children’s Program Room
Thursday, October 3 • 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.
PACT with Ventura First 5
Friday, October 4 • 10:30 am – 11:15 am • NPL Meeting Room
Parent and Child Together (PACT) class encompasses Circle Time (featuring books, songs, music, and movement) and Free Play using open-ended materials. For children prenatal to 5 years.
Music & Movement
Saturday, October 5 • 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.
An Introduction to Using 3D Pens
Saturdays, October 12 & 19 • 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room
Join us to learn the basics of using 3D pens and create a small craft. For grades 3-5. Registration required.
Make & Take: Mini Pumpkin Painting
Wednesday, October 16 • 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Monday, October 28 • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm • GRB Community Room
Decorate a mini pumpkin using acrylic paint markers. For grades K-5. Walk-ins welcome. While supplies last.
Mini Masters: Diego Rivera - Mexican Tin Art
Sunday, October 20 • 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm • GRB Children’s Program Room
Read the story Diego Rivera: His World and Ours, learn about his art and craft some Mexican Tin Art. For grades 1-5. Led by a Teen Volunteer. Registration required.
Writing Buddies
Thursday, October 24 • 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 required.
Machines in Motion: Candy Catapults
Saturday, October 26 • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm • GRB Community Room
Learn about physics and engineering by building a catapult and launching marshmallows. For grades 3-6. Led by Teen Volunteers. Registration required.
Future Einsteins: Static Electricity
Sunday, October 27 • 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm • GRB Community Room
Experiment with static electricity by using tissue paper butterflies and playing red light, green light with cans. For grades 1-5. Led by a Teen Volunteer. Registration required.
Fall Storytimes & Playtime
Baby Storytime
Tuesday, October 1, 15, 22, & 29 • 10:15 am – 10:35 am • GRB Community Room
This is a lapsit storytime for babies 0-12 months. Walk-ins welcome!
Toddler Storytime
Wednesday, October 2, 16, 23, & 30 • 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
Thursday, October 3, 17, 24, & 31 • 10:15 am – 11:00 am • GRB Community Room
This is a preschool storytime & craft for ages 3-5 years. Walk-ins welcome!
Newbury Park Toddler Storytime
Thursday, October 3, 17, 24, & 31 • 10:15 am – 10:35 am • NPL Community Room
This is a toddler storytime for ages 12-36 months. Walk-ins welcome!
Bilingual Pajama Storytime
Monday, October 21 • 6:15 pm – 7:00 pm • GRB Community Room
This is a bilingual (English/Spanish) storytime & craft for ages 3-5 years. Walk-ins welcome!
Enrichment Playtime
For babies (0-12 months): Tuesday, October 8 • 10:15 am – 10:50 am • GRB Community Room
For toddlers (12-36 months): Wednesday, October 9 • 10:15 am – 10:50 am • GRB Community Room
For preschoolers (3-5 years): Thursday, October 10 • 10:15 am – 10:50 am • GRB Community Room
For NPL toddlers (12-36 months): Thursday, October 10 • 10:15 am – 10:50 am • NPL Meeting Room
Join us for 30 minutes of unstructured playtime.
TWEENS AND TEENS:
zTransformers First Tech Challenge Robotics Camp
Tuesday, October 1 • 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm • GRB Teen Space
Wednesday, November 13 • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Learn about programming, robotics, and even create your own team with the FTC (First Tech Challenge) team zTransformers! For grades 7-12. Led by Teen Volunteers. Registration required.
Alebrijes Style Clay & Paint Craft
Wednesday, October 2 • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm • NPL Tech Space
Dive into the colorful world of Alebrijes! Craft your own fantastical creature inspired by Mexican folk art and celebrate Mexican Heritage Month with vibrant creativity. Registration required.
Coding Lab
Wednesdays, October 9, 16, & 23, November 6 & 20, December 4 • 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
• NPL Meeting Room
Mondays, October 14 & 28, November 4 & 18, December 2 & 9 • 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room
Learn how to code by exploring your own interests at your own pace through Fiero Code. Register for sessions you can attend. Bring your own laptop and headphones. For grades 6-12. Led by Teen Volunteers. Registration required.
Creative Sparks
Monday, October 14 • 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm • Zoom
Middle schoolers are invited to join us for a creative writing adventure where they’ll get to create their own short story using imaginative ideas. Registration required.
Comics and Manga Club
Tuesday, October 15 • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm • GRB Technology Training Room
Dive into any comic, manga, or graphic novel! Share your favorites, chat about epic storylines and awesome artwork, and make new friends every third Thursday of the month. For grades 6-12. Registration required. Visit libcal.tolibrary.org/teens for monthly suggested reading themes.
Reading Rocks Book Club
Tuesday, October 15 • 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 Coraline by Neil Gaiman for the Rocks and Small Spaces by Katherine Arden for the Boulders. Registration required.
3D Pen Monsters
Tuesday, October 29 • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm • GRB Teen Space
Wednesday, October 30 • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Create mini monsters or holiday decorations using a 3D Pen. For grades 6-12. 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 only.
Teen Volunteers Needed
Sign up to help with Homework Help, Thousand Oaks Teen Advisory League, and other programs and activities at the Library. Go to www.tolibrary.org/teens, setup your CERVIS account, and apply to volunteer for various opportunities.
ADULTS:
Conversations with Mom
Tuesdays • 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.
Board Game Club
Tuesdays, October 1, 15, & 29 • 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm • GRB Community Room
Adults are invited to join us monthly to play strategy board games like Forbidden Island, Dungeon Mayhem, and Wingspan. Walk-ins welcome.
Virtual Author Talk: A Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats with Scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Wednesday, October 2 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • Online
For decades, scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have studied the remarkable biodiversity of bats on Barro Colorado Island in Panama, where an astonishing seventy-six species coexist. Now, for the first time, Smithsonian scientists’ expertise pairs with the stunning photography of National Geographic contributor Christian Ziegler for a captivating visual journey into the fascinating world of these elusive night creatures, to bring you the book Bat Island: A Rare Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats.
Many Voices Book Club
Wednesday, October 2 • 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 When No One Was Watching by Alyssa Cole. Walk-ins welcome.
Garden to Table Series: Growing Root Vegetables
Thursday, October 3 • 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm • GRB Community Room
Learn how to harvest homegrown root vegetables packed with flavor and nutrition. Presented by the Master Gardeners of Ventura County. Registration recommended.
Free Movie Matinées
Friday, October 4 • 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Mondays, October 7 & 21 • 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm • GRB Community Room
Catch free movie matinées at the Library! Explore our online schedule to see what's showing and join us for a fun film outing.
3rd Annual Local Author Fair
Saturday, October 5 • 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Community Room
Meet authors from the Conejo Valley, Ventura County, and Los Angeles Area. Buy books, get them signed, and connect with fellow readers and writers! Enjoy a diverse range of genres and support local talent. Admission is free—don't miss out!
Computer Basics: Windows 11
Monday, October 7 • 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm • GRB Technology Training Room
This workshop is for those who are new to using a PC or want to build more confidence using the Windows 11 operating system. Registration required.
Spanish at Your Library
Advanced: Wednesday, October 9 • 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room
Beginner: Mondays, October 14 & 28 • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room
Enhance your Spanish fluency through guided conversations led by facilitators.
