There is established in the Department of Education and Early Development the Alaska State Archives. The department shall establish and administer a state archives and records management program. To implement the program and head the Alaska State Archives, the department shall create the position of state archivist, and shall appoint as state archivist a person qualified by special training or experience in archival or historical work. The state archivist shall be the official custodian of the archival resources of the state.