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 November, 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:

Commemorative Ed Lawrence Library Cards

Special edition Ed Lawrence Photo Collection cards are now available which feature images showcasing unique moments from our community’s history. New Library card registrants can carry a piece of Conejo Valley’s history wherever they go! Get a library card today!

ALL AGES:

Diya Paper Craft

Wednesday, October 30 – Friday, November 1 • Both Libraries

Visit the library to color a paper diya!

Take & Make: Rangoli Inspired Sand Art Kit

Wednesday, October 30 – Friday, November 1 • Both Libraries

Pick up a craft kit that includes a self-adhesive cardboard circle and six bags of colorful sand. Not recommended for children under 3. While supplies last.

Diwali Painted Suncatchers

Friday, November 1 • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm • Newbury Park Library

Create painted suncatchers to celebrate the Festival of Lights! For grades K-5. While supplies last.

Dia de los Muertos Scavenger Hunt

Friday, November 1 – Saturday, November 2 • Newbury Park Library

Join us for a fun scavenger hunt! Find all the correct items to win a small prize—one prize per person, while supplies last. Prizes are geared toward grades K-5, but everyone is welcome to join in the fun!

Sugar Skull Mask Craft

Friday, November 1 – Saturday, November 2 • Both Libraries

Visit the library to color a paper sugar skull mask!

Día de los Muertos Celebration

Saturday, November 2 • 10:15 am – 4:00 pm • Newbury Park Library

Enjoy cultural activities, crafts, and more as we honor this rich tradition. Highlights include a storytime starting at 10:15 am for ages 3-5, a screening of a beloved movie, a virtual concert featuring Ozomatli and Flor de Toloache, and Mini Magnet Altars with Create Studio.

Mini Magnet Altars Craft

Saturday, November 2 • 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Create Studio will teach how to make mini magnet altars for Dia De Los Muertos. For teens & adults. Registration required.

Ronobir Lahiri Sitar Concert

Sunday, November 3 • 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Community Room

Experience an amazing Sitar Concert with Ronobir Lahiri! Trained in Indian Classical music in Calcutta, Ronobir has spent nearly 20 years mastering the sitar before blending it with contemporary electronic and popular music!

Gosh Yarn It

Friday, November 8 • 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+.

Strings in Harmony: A Concert with Keum Hwa Cha and Wesley Park

Thursday, November 14 • 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm • GRB Community Room

A night of classical music presented by violinist Keum Hwa Cha and guitarist Wesley Park.

Melodies in Duet: A Concert with Hui Wu and Micah Wright

Thursday, November 21 • 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm • GRB Community Room

A night of classical music presented by pianist Hui Wu and clarinetist Micah Wright.

Stay & Switch

Newbury Park Library

November is International Games Month! Join the fun by exploring our newest addition to the Library of Things. Stop by the Newbury Park Library Information Desk to check out a Nintendo Switch Lite, loaded with exciting digital games! You can borrow it with your library card and enjoy gaming while you’re in the library.

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 November 11, 25, 26, 27, or 28.

Dog Days

Tuesdays • 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm • GRB Children’s Program Room

Thursday, November 7 • 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.

Reading Buddies

Tuesdays, November 5 & 12 • 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Wednesdays, November 6, 13, & 20 • 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.

Mini Masters: Lotte Reiniger - Stop Motion Animation

Sunday, November 10 • 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm • GRB Children's Program Room

Read the story Cut!: How Lotte Reiniger and a Pair of Scissors Revolutionized Animation, learn about how stop motion films are made, and create flip-book animation. Led by a Teen Volunteer. For grades 1-5. Registration required.

Music & Movement

Saturday, November 16 • 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.

Writing Buddies

Thursday, November 21 • 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.

Pumpkin Paper Craft

Friday, November 22 – Sunday, December 1 • Both Libraries

Visit the craft table at either library to decorate a paper pumpkin craft! For grades K-5.

Fall Scavenger Hunt

Join the scavenger hunt at either Grant R. Brimhall Library or Newbury Park Library from November 22 to December 1. Find all the items to enter an opportunity drawing for a Forest Animals: Red Fox Lego set. Only one submission per person.

Lego Workshop: Motorized Amusement Park Ride

Monday, November 25 • 10:15 am – 11:15 am • GRB Community Room

Discover the science and history of amusement park rides, then design and build your own motorized attraction. For ages 6-10. Registration required.

Lego Workshop: Motorized Windmill

Tuesday, November 26 • 10:15 am – 11:15 am • NPL Meeting Room

Explore the science and history of windmills, then design and construct your own motorized version. For ages 6-10. Registration required.

Fall Storytimes & Playtime

Baby Storytime

Tuesday, November 12 • 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, November 13 • 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, November 14 • 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, November 14 • 10:15 am – 10:35 am • NPL Community Room

This is a toddler storytime for ages 12-36 months. Walk-ins welcome!

Enrichment Playtime

For babies (0-12 months): Tuesday, November 5 • 10:15 am – 10:50 am • GRB Community Room

For toddlers (12-36 months): Wednesday, November 6 • 10:15 am – 10:50 am • GRB Community Room

For preschoolers (3-5 years): Thursday, November 7 • 10:15 am – 10:50 am • GRB Community Room

For NPL toddlers (12-36 months): Thursday, November 7 • 10:15 am – 10:50 am • NPL Meeting Room

Join us for 30 minutes of unstructured playtime.

TWEENS AND TEENS:

The Short Story Contest – Fiero Code

October 1 – November 30

Join the Fiero Code challenge and craft a story using HTML, CSS, or JavaScript to build your own website! Compete with coders from around the globe for a chance to win a robot. Sign up for a free Fiero Code account through the Library and start your coding journey. Don’t forget to enter the competition under the Contest tab!

Coding Lab

Mondays, November 4 & 18, December 2 & 9 • 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room

Wednesdays, November 6 & 20, December 4 • 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm • NPL Meeting 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.

3D Pen Dreamcatchers

Tuesday, November 12 • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm • GRB Tech Training Room

To celebrate Native American Heritage Month, create a dreamcatcher using a 3D pen. For grades 6-12. Registration required.

Reading Rocks Book Club

Tuesday, November 12 • 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 Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse for the Rocks and Patina by Jason Reynolds for the Boulders. Registration required.

zTransformers First Tech Challenge Robotics Camp

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.

College Apps and Test Prep Resources

Thursday, November 14 • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm • Online/Zoom

Learn about resources at the Library that can help with College Applications or Test Preparation for SAT, ACT or AP exams. Ask a Librarian your questions. For high school students, parents, or teachers. Registration required.

Creative Sparks

Monday, November 18 • 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm • Online/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, November 19 • 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. This month’s suggested reading theme is “gamer books.” 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:

Free Movie Matinées

Friday, November 1 • 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Mondays, November 4 & 18 • 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.

Paper Quilled Rangoli

Friday, November 1 • 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm • GRB Community Room

Explore the art of paper quilling to create colorful rangoli-inspired designs. Materials provided. While supplies last. Registration required.

Happily Ever After Book Club

Monday, November 4 • 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 Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang. Walk-ins welcome.

Conversations with Mom

Tuesdays, November 12 & 19 • 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.

Computer Basics: Windows 11

Wednesday, November 6 • 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm • NPL Meeting 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.

Many Voices Book Club

Wednesday, November 6 • 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 Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. Walk-ins welcome.

Board Game Club

Tuesdays, November 12 & 26 • 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.

Cybersecurity Basics

Wednesday, November 13 • 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm • GRB Tech Training Room

Be safe in the digital realm, protect yourself from scams and build confidence engaging online. Registration required.

Spanish at Your Library 

Advanced: Wednesday, November 13 • 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room

Beginner: Monday, November 18 • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Enhance your Spanish fluency through guided conversations led by facilitators.

Open Mic Poetry Nights

Wednesday, November 13 • 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 Open Mic Poetry Night on November 27.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Conversation Group 

Thursday, November 14 • 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 English language speakers.

REDress* Display

Friday, November 15 – Sunday, November 17 • Grant R. Brimhall Library

The REDress Project, created by Jaime Black, features installations in public spaces across the USA and Canada. This artistic initiative aims to raise awareness of the increasing number of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Crafternoon

Friday, November 15 • 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room

Friday, November 22 • 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm • GRB Community Room

Adults are invited to join us at the Library to socialize and make a different craft each month! Materials provided. Registration required.

Ed Lawrence Story Slam

Friday November 15 • 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm • GRB Community Room

Join us for a Fall Story Slam celebrating Thousand Oaks Photographer Ed Lawrence’s 100th birthday! The top 8 submissions will be read at an after-hours event, where the audience will vote for their favorite story to win a $50 gift card.

Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women Speaker’s Panel

Sunday, November 17 • 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Community Room

Join us for a panel discussion focusing on the critical issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women featuring Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko and Dr. Bridget Groat from the CSUCI Native Studies Department. This event is co-sponsored by the AAUW, California Humanities, and the Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library.

Genealogy Basics

Thursday, November 21 • 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm • GRB Tech Training Room

Interested in genealogy but don’t know where to start? Get started using the library’s genealogy resources!