In order to aid in the development of higher ideals of citizenship and the enlargement of opportunity for culture and recreation and in order to afford an additional means for the further upbuilding of the educational facilities of the state, there shall be a Public Library Service, which shall be known as the Alabama Public Library Service and shall have as its chief objective the development of a cooperative system of providing books and library service for the various municipalities and counties of the state.
Ala. Code § 41-8-1 (1975)