Banned Books Week

OCTOBER 5-11, 2025

Read a banned book and help celebrate how lucky every Californian is to have free and open access to information and ideas. October 5-11 is Banned Books Week, an annual reminder of how censorship divides us, and libraries like the Blanchard Community Library bring us together. 

Efforts to censor books in schools and libraries have been around for a long time. Among books sought to be banned are Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird, 1984, The Kite Runner and the Goosebumps and Harry Potter series. In 2024, 2,452 individual book titles were challenged in the United States. That is considerably more than the annual average of 273 between 2001-2020.

Saturday Storytime + Craft

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11 AT 11:00 AM

Join us for a festive pumpkin-themed storytime filled with fun tales, followed by a simple craft. Perfect for little ones and families.

Kids Book Club

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss and adapted by Sara Hoard

MONDAY, OCTOBER 13 AT 4:00 PM

MONDAY, OCTOBER 27 AT 4:00 PM

Calling all 4th-6th graders! Join us for our special book club just for you!

October 13th – Kickoff event! Pick up your book, enjoy fun activities, and grab some snacks.
October 27th – Book discussion with more snacks and activities!

Free copies of the book, while supplies last! Don’t miss out on the fun and come read, discuss, and connect with fellow young book lovers!!

Family Movie Night: Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride [PG]

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15 AT 4:00 PM

From the creator of The Nightmare Before Christmas comes a gothic stop-motion classic. Based on a 19th-century folktale, the story follows a young groom who accidentally weds a ghostly bride while on his way to marry his true fiancée. With haunting visuals and a surprisingly warm heart, Corpse Bride is a tale of love, loss, and letting go.

🍿FREE POPCORN!🍿

Noteworthy Puppets: Holiday Hijinks

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21 AT 4:00 PM

Join us for a Holiday Mashup Adventure! When Santa takes an unexpected vacation, he lands in Halloweentown for a zany musical adventure! Along the way, a zombie, a witch, and a talking plant teach him that sometimes the best way to give is to know when to receive.

Saturday Storytime + Craft

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 AT 11:00 AM

Celebrate Halloween with spooky (but not too scary) stories and a fun craft. Costumes are welcome, so dress up and join the fun! 

ADULT Take and Make Halloween Candy Jar

AVAILABLE STARTING MONDAY, OCTOBER 6

Celebrate the spooky season with this month’s craft kit. Adults can pick up a free Take & Make kit to create a festive Halloween candy jar, perfect for holding your favorite treats. Available while supplies last.

Poetry on Eighth

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11 AT 12:00 PM

Join us every second Saturday of the month for LIVE POETRY! Share a poem, short work, or one of your favorites. All are welcome to simply sit and listen as well. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a 3-minute maximum per person.
 

Community Resource Expo

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17 AT 3:00 PM

We are excited to partner with the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County to bring you the Community Resource Expo, a one-stop event designed to connect you with opportunities and support. Meet face-to-face with local employers who are ready to hire, and learn about programs and services that can help you and your family thrive. From job training and career development to health, housing, and community assistance, a wide variety of organizations will be gathered under one roof. Whether you are looking for employment, exploring new career paths, or simply want to discover more about the resources available in your community, this event has something for everyone.

Nos complace colaborar con la Junta de Desarrollo Laboral del Condado de Ventura para presentarles la Expo de Recursos Comunitarios, un evento integral diseñado para conectarlos con oportunidades y apoyo. Conozcan personalmente a empleadores locales listos para contratar y conozcan los programas y servicios que pueden ayudarles a usted y a su familia a prosperar. Desde capacitación laboral y desarrollo profesional hasta salud, vivienda y asistencia comunitaria, una amplia variedad de organizaciones se reunirán en un mismo lugar. Ya sea que busquen empleo, exploren nuevas trayectorias profesionales o simplemente quieran descubrir más sobre los recursos disponibles en su comunidad, este evento tiene algo para todos.

Tuesday Book Club - Violeta by Isabel Allende

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21 AT 5:30 PM

Told through a letter to her loved ones, Violeta recounts a century of joy, sorrow, and resilience as one woman’s life mirrors the upheavals of the twentieth century. Join us for a thoughtful discussion of this sweeping, intimate novel and share your perspectives on memory, love, and survival. Request a copy of the book here.

All About Roses! with Master Gardener Don Gustavson

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23 AT 6:00 PM

Join certified Master Gardener, Don Gustavson, for this talk on Roses. Learn to differentiate between rose types, how to plant and care for roses, and how to prune roses. 

Link to Register: https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=46859

Walk-ins welcome!

If you have gardening questions, please email our free Master Gardener Helpline at mgventura@ucdavis.edu

Literacy Volunteers Needed!

ON-GOING

September is National Literacy Month! Make a Difference in Your Community - Become an Adult Literacy Tutor for Blanchard Community Library.

Are you passionate about education and helping others succeed? Become a volunteer literacy tutor and empower adults in our community to improve their reading, writing, and communication skills.

Contact 805-525-3615 Ext: 3 for more details 
 

Literacy and Civics Circle

TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS FROM 12:00 PM TO 1:30 PM

Are you ready to take the next step toward U.S. citizenship? Join the Blanchard Community Library's Literacy and Civics Circle! Prepare for the citizenship test and practice for the interview in a welcoming and supportive environment. You'll receive free resources, expert guidance, and the confidence you need to succeed.

Contact 805-525-3615 Ext: 3 for more details