September Events at the Thousand Oaks Library
August 31, 2026
The following is a list of programs happening at the Thousand Oaks Library during the month of September 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 31, 2026— The following is a list of programs happening at the Thousand Oaks Library during the month of September 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
Celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month, Win Great Prizes!
This year's theme, "A Library Card Hits All the Right Notes," celebrates how a library card can match every interest. When you sign up for a new library card in September, you can choose:
- Entry into an opportunity drawing for an Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet or a $50 gift card to Target, Dick's Sporting Goods, Best Buy, or Trader Joe's.*
OR
- A free prize from the treasure box, while supplies last.
Sign up this September and discover everything your library card can unlock! *Opportunity drawing winners will receive one prize. Terms and eligibility apply.
Tuesday, September 1 • 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+.
Friday, September 11 • 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+.
Homework CA is a statewide online tutoring service from the California State Library. Students can access 24/7, one-on-one tutoring in English and Spanish for K–12 subjects, including math, science, reading, writing, world languages, AP, SAT, and ACT. Homework CA also offers test prep, college admissions resources, and study skills support through The Princeton Review.
BrainFuse HelpNow will end on August 24, 2026, while JobNow remains available for career and employment support.
CHILDREN
Friday, September 4 • 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. • GRB Children’s Program Room
Let your creativity run wild with an hour of watercolor painting. For ages 6-11. Registration required.
September 8, 2026 – May 26, 2027
Mondays • 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. • NPL Meeting Room
Tuesdays • 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. • NPL Meeting Room
Wednesdays & Thursdays • 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. • GRB Community Room
Students in Kindergarten through 8th grade with challenging school assignments can get support from our helpful volunteers. Closed September 21 and on all CVUSD holidays & breaks.
Tuesdays, September 8, 15, 22, 29 • 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. • GRB Children’s Program 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. Recommended for school-age. No Thursday session at Newbury Park Library this month.
Begins Tuesday, September 8 • 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. • NPL Meeting Room
Begins Wednesday, September 9 • 3:10 – 3:40 p.m. or 3:45 – 4:15 p.m. • GRB Community Room
A weekly program for students in grades 1–4 to practice reading and build confidence with the support of a volunteer. Registration required.
Wednesday, September 9 • 6 – 6:45 p.m. • GRB Children’s Program Room
Drop by and create a simple decorative norigae. Norigae are good luck charms worn with the traditional hanbok. Learn more about these charms and then make your own. For ages 6+. While supplies last.
Thursday, September 17 • 10:15 –10:45 a.m. & 11:15 –11:45 a.m. • GRB Community Room
A fun-filled, interactive concert, Mr. Michael creates a joyful atmosphere for kids and parents alike. For families. Registration required.
Saturday, September 19 • 10:15 –10:45 a.m. & 11:15 –11:45 a.m. • GRB Community Room
Dance, clap, and sing along with Ms. Cheryl Lev during this fun, interactive program. For ages 0-5 years. Registration required.
Saturday, September 26 • 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. • Newbury Park Library
Saturday, September 26 • 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. • Grant R. Brimhall Library
Join Lucky Diaz—GRAMMY Award-winning, multi–Latin GRAMMY Award-winning, and six-time EMMY-nominated musician, songwriter, and author—for a joyful, music-filled afternoon! Celebrated for his vibrant, bilingual storytelling, Lucky’s work has been praised by NPR, Billboard, and The New York Times. His debut picture book, Paletero Man, became an instant classic, earning starred reviews and the 2024 Alma Flor Ada Award. Meet Lucky and get your books signed afterward. Free and open to the public.
Storytimes & Playtimes
Join us for 30 minutes of unstructured playtime in the GRB Community Room.
For babies (0-12 months) • Tuesday, September 22 • 10:15 –10:50 a.m.
For toddlers (12-36 months) • Wednesday, September 23 • 10:15 – 10:50 a.m.
For preschoolers (ages 3-5 years) • Thursday, September 24 • 10:15 – 10:50 a.m.
Tuesday, September 29 • 10:15 – 10:35 a.m. • GRB Community Room
A lapsit storytime for babies 0-12 months. Walk-ins welcome!
Wednesday, September 30 • 10:15 – 10:35 a.m. • GRB Community Room
For ages 12-36 months. Walk-ins welcome!
TWEENS & TEENS
Tuesday, September 8 • 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 Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel Jose Older. This month’s Boulder’s selection is When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. Registration required.
Explorers Wanted: Hispanic Heritage Month
Tuesday, September 15 – Thursday, October 15
Put your search skills to the test! Explore the Library’s Teen Space and complete a Hispanic Heritage Month Explorer Form to discover books and virtual resources. Turn in your completed form to receive a fun charm or keychain! For ages 11–18 only. One per person, while supplies last.
Wednesday, September 16 • 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. • GRB Teen Space
Learn to create animal bead keychains to accessorize your backpack. For ages 11-18. Registration required.
Making Miniatures: Cozy Fall Pies
Thursday, September 24 • 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. • NPL Meeting Room
Tuesday, September 29 • 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. • GRB Teen Space
Using clay and recycled materials, create cozy miniature pies with a cute kitchen table to decorate your space with CReATE STUDIO. *Note: Pies are not edible. Registration required. For ages 11-18.
Books for Buttons, Boba, or Burgers
Visit the library and pick up a “Books for Buttons, Boba, or Burgers” form. Finish reading a book with more than 200 pages, submit to get a pin button, and enter for a chance for a boba or burger gift card. Read more books for more chances to win. Just for ages 11-18.
ADULTS
The Democracy We Must Keep: Why the Ideas that Built America Still Matter with David O. Stewart
Tuesday, September 1 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. • Online
Join us as we chat with award-winning historian David O. Stewart about his newest work, The Democracy We Must Keep, and the question he explores throughout the book: What did America's founders say about democracy, and can we remain true to their vision for America?
Monday, September 14 • 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, September 1 & 8 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. • GRB Technology Training Room
Tuesdays, September 15, 22, & 29 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. • 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. Other caregivers, including fathers and grandparents, are welcome to attend the program on the last Tuesday of the month.
Writer’s Club *New Program*
Wednesday, September 2 • 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.
Thursday, September 3 • 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. • GRB Technology Training Room
Wednesday, September 30 • 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. • NPL Meeting Room
Join us as we explore ways to be safe online and to protect yourself from scams. Registration required.
Friendly Book Discussion Group
Thursday, September 3 • 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 Confessions of a Philosopher by Bryan Magee. Walk-ins welcome.
Writing the Nightmare: A Ship Called Sickness and One Unforgettable Space Crew with Daniel Kraus
Tuesday, September 8 • 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. • Online
Prepare to launch into the darkest depths of deep space! Join us online as we sit down with master storyteller Daniel Kraus, winner of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, to celebrate the release of his breathtaking new novel, The Sixth Nik.
Wednesday, September 9 • 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. • NPL Meeting Room
Wednesday, September 23 • 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, September 10 • 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, September 10 • 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 Equality: What It Means and Why It Matters by Thomas Piketty & Michael Sandel. Walk-ins welcome.
The Art of Fighting: Building Better, Stronger Relationships with Priya Parker
Tuesday, September 15 • 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. • Online
Join us for a paradigm-shifting, essential event as we sit down with world-renowned master facilitator Priya Parker to discuss her groundbreaking new book, The Art of Fighting: The Transformative Power of Conflict.
Monday, September 14 • 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 Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher. Walk-ins welcome.
Friday, September 18 • 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. • GRB Community Room
Adults are invited to join us at the Library to socialize and make a different craft each month! This month we will be making Clay Book Keychains. Materials provided. Registration required.
Wednesday, September 23 • 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.
Where the Paletero Man Goes: A Journey of Neighborhood, Music, and Art with Lucky Diaz (English)
Thursday, September 24 • 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. • Online
Grab a pocketful of change and get ready to dance down the street! Join us for an energetic conversation as we celebrate the joy of community and summer fun with Latin GRAMMY-winning musician Lucky Diaz, author of the sensational bilingual picture book, Paletero Man.
Paletero Man: un viaje por el barrio, la música y el arte con Lucky Diaz (Spanish)
Thursday, September 24 • 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. • En línea
Agarra un puñado de monedas y prepárate para bailar por la calle. Únete a nosotros para una enérgica conversación mientras celebramos la alegría de la comunidad y la diversión del verano con Lucky Diaz, músico ganador del premio Latin GRAMMY y autor del sensacional libro ilustrado bilingüe, Paletero Man.
Tuesday, September 29 • 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.
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 & Newbury Park Library
Game night just got even better! Our expanded board game collection will be available to check out and take home. From family favorites to strategy games, there’s something for all ages to enjoy. Stop by either library location and pick out your next game today!
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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