Community Calendar

Join us for a book club that gives you the opportunity to be with other readers without the pressure of required reading or discussion. Light refreshments will be provided by the library. We will meet at the Thousand Oaks Branch every first Tuesday of the month at 5:30pm.

5:30-6:00pm - Share what you're reading (if you like), grab snacks/drinks, settle-in
6:00-7:00pm - Quiet reading hour
7:00-7:30pm - Socialize or keep reading - whatever your preference

Pirates might be reduced to a Halloween costume for some people, but they are a year-round fascination for archaeologist and National Geographic Explorer Lisa Briggs. We go on assignment with her to the Mediterranean Sea to explore how pirating shaped the Roman Empire. We also meet the Pirate Queen of China and then head into the lab with Lisa to follow the most famous renegade, Blackbeard.

Lisa Briggs is an underwater archaeologist, scuba instructor and technical diver. Her current research examines ancient shipwrecks of the Mediterranean Sea and how scientific methods can illuminate the stories of the cargoes these ships carried and the daring sailors who plied the seas of the past. She also has a particular interest in demonstrating how the intersection of science and adventure can inspire young students to pursue STEM subjects.

When the time is right, the most celebrated reef on Earth turns into a snow globe as millions of coral polyps reproduce to send the next generation afloat. This incredible display disguises a harsh truth: the Great Barrier Reef is under attack. More than half of the coral here has died, with a warmer ocean bleaching vast sections. But there is still plenty to see and plenty to save. We go on assignment in a series of dives with marine biologist and National Geographic Explorer Erika Woolsey to meet the most colorful residents of this underwater jungle.

National Geographic Explorer Dr. Erika Woolsey is a marine biologist, divemaster, and virtual reality filmmaker. Her research and career have taken her to reefs all over the world and she wants to share her passion with you!