August Events at the Thousand Oaks Library
August 03, 2026
The following is a list of programs happening at the Thousand Oaks Library during the month of August at Grant R. Brimhall Library (GRB) and Newbury Park Library (NPL).
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., August 3, 2026 — The following is a list of programs happening at the Thousand Oaks Library during the month of August 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 libcal.tolibrary.org/calendar.
ALL AGES
Tuesday, August 4 • 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. • GRB Teen Space
Join us monthly to play games like Forbidden Island, Dungeon Mayhem, and Wingspan, or bring your own games to share! For ages 14+.
Saturday, August 8 • 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. • Grant R. Brimhall Library
Sunday, August 9 • 12:00 – 4:30 p.m. • Grant R. Brimhall Library
Dive into the world of comics, anime, games, & everything fandom-tastic. Explore the exciting array of events at LibCon, including an artist alley, cosplay, video game tournament, food trucks, and much more. Featuring an author talk and book signing with T. Kingfisher, aka Ursula Vernon! Preregister to receive updates and exclusive insider information at tolibrary.co/libcon.
Artist Alley 101: So You Want to be a Convention Artist?
Saturday, August 8 • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. • GRB Community Room
Ever wondered what it takes to become a convention artist today? Join artist From Caliko as she shares her journey and insights into building a creative career in today’s world. Recommended for ages 10+.
Author Talk & Book Signing with T. Kingfisher (aka Ursula Vernon)
Saturday, August 8 • Grant R. Brimhall Library
Talk: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Signing: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Join acclaimed fantasy and horror author T. Kingfisher, also known as Ursula Vernon, for an engaging discussion about her writing career, creative process, and award-winning work across fantasy, horror, and speculative fiction. Author of more than fifty books, T. Kingfisher has received multiple Hugo, Nebula, Dragon, and Locus awards for her imaginative storytelling and unforgettable characters. Recommended for ages 10+. A book signing will follow the author talk. Bring your own book or purchase one at the Friends of the Library table. Free and open to all.
Saturday, August 8 • 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. • GRB Community Room
Join local author and game designer Scott Rogers as he demonstrates the basics of building your own game system. Scott is known for his work on hit video games such as Pac-Man World and God of War, designing a myriad of board games like Pantone: The Game and ALIEN: Fate of Nostromo, as well as his books, Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design and Your Turn! The Guide to Great Tabletop Game Design. Recommended for ages 10+.
The Mother Road at 100 Years Old: Voices of Route 66
Thursday August 13 • 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. • GRB Community Room
Retired educator and podcast host Anthony Arno will present about the history and majesty of Route 66.
Friday, August 14 • 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+.
Monday, August 17 • 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, Meta Quest 3 VR headset, and 3D printer. For ages 11+.
Did you participate in Summer Reading Club? Tell us what you think! Please help us evaluate this year’s Summer Reading Club by telling us about you and your family’s experience. Your feedback will help make next year even better! To participate in the survey, visit: www.tolibrary.co/src
CHILDREN
Wednesday, August 12 • 2:00 – 2:45 pm • GRB Community Room
Join us for a stuffed animal tea party! Enjoy 30 minutes of storytelling fun followed by a pretend tea party, a craft, and photo moments. For ages 3–5. Registration required.
This program is generously supported by the Leduc Gummeson Foundation for Learning, which will provide a free book for each child.
PACT with First 5 Ventura County
Thursday, August 13 • 2:00 – 3:00 pm • 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.
Dog Days, Enrichment Playtimes, Homework Help, Music & Movement, Music Time with Mr. Michael, Reading Buddies, Storytimes, and Wild Watercolor are on break and will resume in September.
TWEENS & TEENS
Nature Journal Page: Opportunity Drawing
Monday, June 15 – Saturday, August 15
Pick up a Nature Journaling guide and submission form at the Library and spend the summer nature journaling. Submit one page from your nature journal by August 15 and be entered for an opportunity drawing for a $50 gift card to a local art supply store. For ages 11-18.
Tuesday, August 11 • 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 Rocks selection is Rosetown by Cynthia Rylant. This month’s Boulder’s selection is Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo. Registration required.
Wednesday, August 26 • 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. • GRB Teen Space
Join us to create a custom loom bookmark. For ages 11-18. Registration required.
ADULTS
Monday, August 3 • 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.
Tuesdays, August 4 & 11 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. • GRB Community Room
Tuesdays, August 18 & 25 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. • GRB Technology Training 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.
The Legacy of Julia Child's Kitchen with Smithsonian Curator Paula J. Johnson
Tuesday, August 4 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. • Online
Join us for a conversation that’s sure to warm your heart (and make your stomach rumble), as we delve into the legacy of cooking icon Julia Child with Smithsonian curator and public historian Paula J. Johnson, author of Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space. The book includes interviews with chefs who knew Julia well, commentary on her favorite culinary tools and kitchen gadgets, and a stunning array of photos.
Writer’s Club *New Program*
Wednesday, August 5 • 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. • GRB Technology Training Room
On the first Wednesday of every month, local writers and authors are invited to share and discuss their current projects and get feedback from their fellow writers.
Friendly Book Discussion Group
Thursday, August 6 • 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. • GRB Technology Training Room
The Friendly Book Discussion Group meets on the first 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.
Wednesday, August 12 • 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. • NPL Meeting Room
Wednesday, August 26 • 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. • GRB Community 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.
ESL (English as a Second Language) Conversation Group
Thursday, August 13 • 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.
Thursday, August 13 • 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 Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America by Heather Cox Richardson. Walk-ins welcome.
Monday, August 17• 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 The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams. Walk-ins welcome.
Model Builder’s Club *New Program*
Wednesday, August 19 • 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. • NPL Meeting Room
Meet and build your favorite models with fellow hobbyists every third Wednesday of the month. Models and supplies not provided.
When Trees Testify: Reclaiming America’s Black Botanical Legacy with Beronda Montgomery
Tuesday, August 25 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. • Online
Join us for a riveting conversation with award-winning biologist Beronda Montgomery as we discuss her book, When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical Legacy.
Tuesday, August 25 • 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.
Wednesday, August 26 • 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.
High Altitudes and High Stakes: A Miss Marple Mystery with Lucy Foley
Thursday, August 27 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. • Online
Join us for a thrilling conversation with acclaimed author Lucy Foley as we delve into her brand-new Miss Marple mystery, Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel.
ON THE REGULAR
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!
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.
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!
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!
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