THE first Festival of Libraries to be held in the Capital is set to see the Assembly Rooms transformed into a massive library for a day.

The event is being organised by the Edinburgh Libraries and Information Services Agency (Elisa), and representatives of more than 40 Edinburgh-based library and information services are expected to take part.

The event aims to give people more information about the wealth of material available from the 140 library and information services based in Edinburgh.

The free event will feature talks, exhibits, demonstrations and children's activities, as well as a chance to find out more about local and family history, the story of author Robert Louis Stevenson, rare books in Scotland and demonstrations of bookbinding.

Journalist and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch will also be giving a talk about her latest book.

Elisa development officer Wendy Ball said: "There is so much information available from local libraries, and yet most people probably have no idea that they can get access to it, so what we are hoping to do with this event is open their eyes a little to what's out there," she said.

The Festival of Libraries will take place on Saturday, October 6 in the Assembly Rooms, from 10am to 4pm.