Benjamin Franklin may be credited with creating the first public library in the United States, but the man who should be applauded for increasing access to books by Americans of all economic classes is Andrew Carnegie.

Between 1883 and 1929, the industrialist donated $60 million – nearly $1.5 billion in today’s dollars – that led to the building of 1,689 public libraries in the United States as well as 785 in other countries. According to 1997’s “Carnegie Libraries Across America: A Public Legacy,” by 1930 half of all American libraries had been built by Carnegie.

In New Jersey, there are currently 460 public libraries, according to the New Jersey Library Association. The function of these libraries has expanded over the years, growing from being a repository for books and periodicals to include video and audio collections, providing internet access to patrons, and assisting in instructing the residents they serve in everything from ancestral research to job-hunting.

Here’s a look at vintage photos from libraries around New Jersey. Be sure to click on the captions button for more information and links about these classic photos.

Next week: Health care. Do you have photos taken of doctors and nurses in New Jersey before 1983? If so, we might consider using them in a gallery. Send a jpg and description to ghatala@starledger.com.