Your Guide to LibCon 2025 at the Grant R. Brimhall Library
July 28, 2025
The following is a list of programs happening at the Thousand Oaks Library during LibCon at Grant R. Brimhall Library (GRB).
CONTACT: Charlotte Burrows, Public Services Division Manager, cburrows@tolibrary.org; 805-381-7338
Alexandra South, Director of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs, asouth@toaks.gov; 805-449-2120
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., July 28, 2025— 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.
LibCon, Thousand Oaks Library’s free and open to all two-day celebration of comics, anime, and pop culture, returns for its third year on Saturday, August 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday, August 10, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Inspired by large national conventions, attendees can enjoy Artist Alley, cosplay, a video game tournament, food trucks, and a wide range of engaging programs, including hands-on workshops, crafts, and featured author events. Pre-register at www.tolibrary.org/libcon to receive updates and exclusive insider information.
This year’s featured speakers are two remarkable creators who explore storytelling across genres and generations: Tananarive Due, author of the award-winning novel The Reformatory, and Kim Dwinell, author and illustrator of the Surfside Girls graphic novel series. Don’t miss your chance to hear from them during author talks and book signings throughout the weekend.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY PROGRAMS
Artist Alley
Saturday, August 9 • 10:00 am – 4:00 pm • GRB New Books Area
Sunday, August 10 • 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB New Books Area
Stroll through a vibrant showcase of local artists and their geek-culture-inspired creations! Discover unique treasures like prints, buttons, keychains, comics, and more. Plus, some artists will even offer free portfolio reviews. Don’t miss this chance to connect and shop for one-of-a-kind finds!
Badge Ribbons
Saturday, August 9 • 10:00 am – 4:00 pm • Throughout the Library
Sunday, August 10 • 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm • Throughout the Library
Unlock hidden achievements to earn fun, one-of-a-kind badge ribbons, and level up your LibCon badge! Earn the exclusive LibCon Collector ribbon to be entered into our Grand Prize Opportunity Drawing.
Cosplay Contest
Saturday, August 9 • 10:00 am – 4:00 pm • GRB Recent Returns Area
Sunday, August 10 • 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Recent Returns Area
Show off your cosplay all weekend! Heroes, villains, or unique characters. Visit the photo station to enter and win prizes. For all ages.
Don't Just Stand There Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, August 9 • 10:00 am – 4:00 pm • Throughout the Library
Sunday, August 10 • 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm • Throughout the Library
Embark on a LibCon adventure to find cardboard cutouts of your favorite characters. Start at the Activity Table, and finish the hunt for a special badge ribbon!
Food Trucks
Saturday, August 9 • GRB Children’s Library Parking Lot
Sunday, August 10 • GRB Children’s Library Parking Lot
Stop by our visiting food trucks to purchase lunch or a tasty treat before diving back into the Con! Saturday will feature Kona Ice from 10:00 am – 3:30 pm and Okamoto from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm. Sunday will feature Kona Ice from 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm.
LEGO Free Play
Saturday, August 9 • 10:00 am – 4:00 pm • GRB Children’s Program Room
Sunday, August 10 • 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Children’s Program Room
Show off your building skills with LEGO blocks of all sizes. For all ages.
LibCon Grand Prize Opportunity Drawing
Saturday, August 9 • 10:00 am – 4:00 pm • GRB Activity Table
Sunday, August 10 • 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Activity Table
Collect badge ribbons to earn an exclusive LibCon Collector ribbon and a ticket to enter the Grand Prize Opportunity Drawing!
501st Legion
Saturday, August 9 • 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm • Throughout the Library
Sunday, August 10 • 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm • Throughout the Library
See the 501st Legion, a global group of Star Wars fans bringing iconic villains and complex characters to life with stunning, movie-quality costumes.
SATURDAY PROGRAMS
Nintendo Origami Stars
Saturday, August 9 • 10:00 am – 11:00 am • GRB Teen Space
Create your own jar of magic by folding origami stars inspired by the Super Mario Star! While supplies last. Space is limited.
Society for Creative Anachronism
Saturday, August 9 • 10:00 am – 4:00 pm • Throughout the Library
Visit the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), an inclusive community focused on re-creating pre-17th-century arts, skills, and combat. Learn history through hands-on activities, demos, and events!
Author Talk with Tananarive Due
Saturday, August 9 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • GRB Mural Area
Join Tananarive Due, author of the acclaimed novel The Reformatory and winner of the American Book Award, NAACP Image Award, and British Fantasy Award, as she discusses her writing and explores the genres of Black Horror and Afrofuturism.Recommended for ages 14+.
Book Signing with Tananarive Due
Saturday, August 9 • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm • GRB Mural Area
A book signing will follow the author's talk. Bring your own book or purchase one at the Friends of the Library table. Free and open to all.
Geeky Trivia Showdown
Saturday, August 9 • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm • GRB Community Room
Think you're the nerdiest of them all? Know more than your friends about niche pop culture? Prove it in the ultimate trivia contest for bragging rights and prizes! Categories include anime, video games, tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs), comics, books, movies, and more. For ages 12+.
Pokémon TCG Tournament
Saturday, August 9 • 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Technology Training Room
Prove you're the ultimate Pokémon trainer! Battle other players in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, where strategy and skill lead to victory and a chance to win prizes. Registration opens at 11:00 am, tournament begins at noon. Casual play after. For ages 10+.
Real-World Minecraft Builds
Saturday, August 9 • GRB TeenSpace
Creeper 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm • Flower 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Bring your Minecraft creations to life with this fun building craft using wooden blocks! While supplies last. Space is limited. Attendance limited to one session, creeper OR flower, per person. For ages 8+.
Comics Drawing Workshop with Kim Dwinell
Saturday, August 9 • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm • GRB Community Room
Learn the basics of comics drawing with author and animation artist Kim Dwinell, creator of the Surfside Girls series and former Disney animator. Get inspired and create your own characters in this hands-on workshop! Space is limited. For ages 8+.
Cosplay Parade
Saturday, August 9 • 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Mural Area
Show off your cosplay as we strut through the Library in style!
SUNDAY PROGRAMS
Button Making
Sunday, August 10 • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm • GRB Teen Space
Get creative and turn your favorite graphic novel and book pages into custom buttons! While supplies last. Space is limited.
Virtual Reality
Sunday, August 10 • 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm • GRB Technology Training Room
Dive into new worlds with the MetaQuest 3! Enjoy 10-minute sessions of virtual reality adventures. For ages 12+.
Gundam Model Building Class
Sunday, August 10 • 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm • GRB Community Room
Learn to build your own Gundam model in an expert-guided building course that covers the basics of Gunpla (Gundam plastic models). All participants will take home their own Entry Grade Strike Gundam, a pair of hobby nippers, and Gundam panel lining marker. While supplies last. Space is limited. For ages 14+.
Author Talk with Kim Dwinell
Sunday, August 10 • 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm • GRB Mural Area
Dive into a world of mystery, friendship, and sunny adventures with Kim Dwinell, author and illustrator of the Surfside Girls graphic novel series, now a hit Apple TV+ show!
Book Signing with Kim Dwinell
Sunday, August 10 • 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm • GRB Mural Area
A book signing will follow the author's talk. Bring your own book or purchase one at the Friends of the Library table. Free and open to all.
Guilty Gear Strive Video Game Tournament
Sunday, August 10 • 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Community Room
Face off in 1-on-1 virtual combat at LibCon in Arc System Works’ flagship fighting game. Choose from legendary fighters like Ky Kiske, I-No, Jack-O, Baiken, and Sol Badguy to win gift card prizes! Free play as time allows. For ages 14+.
Board Game Free Play
Sunday, August 10 • 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Technology Training Room
Grab a game, gather your friends, and enjoy casual fun! Choose from a variety of games for all ages and play at your own pace.
TTRPG Mini Painting
Sunday, August 10 • 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm • GRB Teen Space
Bring tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) characters to life by painting your own miniatures, choose from heroes or monsters! While supplies last. Space is limited. For ages 8+.
Thank you to our sponsor, the Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library.Their mission is to increase the awareness of, raise funds for, and actively assist the Thousand Oaks Library to promote learning, literacy, and cultural knowledge via materials, programs, and services made available to the community. The Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization.
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