October Programs at the Library

September 30, 2024

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The following is a list of programs happening at the Thousand Oaks Library during the month of October.

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


October Programs at the Thousand Oaks Library


THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., September 30, 2024 - 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. 


Excel Basics 2: Working with Numbers

Wednesday, October 9 • 12:30 pm – 2:15 pm • NPL Tech Space   

Tap into the organizational powers of Microsoft Excel and learn about tools that can help you stay organized. Registration required. 


Virtual Author Talk: Liberating Latin American Genre Fiction: In Conversation with Bestselling Author Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Wednesday, October 9 • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm • Online 

Join us as Silvia Moreno-Garcia, acclaimed author of Mexican Gothic and The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, discusses Latin American genre fiction, her writing process, and her latest novel, The Seventh Veil of Salome. Set in 1950s Hollywood, this book follows rising star Vera Larios as she takes on a role about the legendary Salome, sparking envy and rivalry with the fading actress Nancy Hartley. 


Open Mic Poetry Nights

Wednesday, October 9 • 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm • NPL Meeting Room 

Wednesday, October 23 • 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm • 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. 


English as a Second Language (ESL) Conversation Group 

Thursday, October 10 • 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. 


Happily Ever After Book Club

Monday, October 14 • 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 Unleashing Chaos by Crystal J. Johnson and Felicity Vaughn. Walk-ins welcome. 


eBooks and Audiobooks

Thursday, October 17 • 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm • GRB Technology Training Room   

Join us as we explore Libby and the Palace Project, two digital lending services that specialize in eBooks and Audiobooks. Registration required. 


Crafternoon

Friday, October 18 • 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room  

Friday, October 25 • 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. 


Virtual Author Talk: Maybe You Should Talk To Someone: Examining the Truths and Fictions we Tell Ourselves with Lori Gottlieb

Tuesday, October 22 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm • Online 

Each year, nearly 30 million Americans see therapists—including therapists themselves. In Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, Lori Gottlieb reveals that her greatest qualification is her shared humanity. Amid a personal crisis, she writes, “I know what it’s like to be a person.” Join us as Gottlieb shares insights on confronting the truths and fictions we tell ourselves, helping us overcome barriers and live the life we want. 


Cybersecurity Basics

Wednesday, October 23 • 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room   

Join us as we explore ways to be safe in the digital realm and to protect yourself from scams. Registration required.  


Introduction to 3D Printing

Wednesday, October 23 • 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm • GRB Technology Training Room   

Learn the basics of 3D Printing as well as how to use Tinkercad, a free, easy-to-use web app for 3D modeling. Registration required. 


Canva Basics

Thursday, October 24 • 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm • NPL Tech Space   

Perfect for beginners, this course will guide you through the essentials of Canva, a free web-based graphic design software. Registration required. 


Garden to Table Series: Edible Landscapes

Thursday, October 24 • 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm • NPL Meeting Room 

Learn how to transform your yard into a beautiful and productive space that provides fresh food. Presented by the Master Gardeners of Ventura County. Registration recommended. 


Microsoft Word Basics

Wednesday, October 30 • 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm • GRB Technology Training Room   

Learn the basics and gain confidence using Microsoft Word to write resumes, lists, stories, whatever you like! Registration required. 


Ed Lawrence Story Slam

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

Writers 18 and up are invited to take part in the Fall Story Slam in honor of Thousand Oaks Photographer Ed Lawrence’s 100th Birthday. Stories must be based on or inspired by one of six photographs taken by Ed Lawrence provided here. All stories must be submitted by October 26th, 2024, either at the information desk of the Grant R. Brimhall Library, Newbury Park Library, or submitted via email at info@tolibrary.org. All email submissions must have the subject line Story Slam followed by the writer’s first and last name. The top 8 submissions will be selected to be read at an after hours reading at 6:30 pm on Friday, November 16, where the top story will be selected by audience vote to win a $50 gift card. Submitting writers will be notified whether or not their story was chosen on Friday, November 8. 

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