(a)
(1) At his or her discretion, any state, county, or other official is authorized and empowered to turn over to the Arkansas State Archives, for permanent preservation, any official books, records, documents, original papers, and newspaper files not in current use in his or her office.
(2) When so surrendered, copies from the state, county, or other official's office shall be made and certified by the Director of the Division of Arkansas Heritage upon the application of any person interested, which certification shall have the force and effect as if made by the officer originally in the custody of them, and for which the same fee shall be charged to be collected in advance.
(b)
(1) All officers of this state and of its political subdivisions, as requested by the Arkansas State Archives, shall make available for copying or photographing such of their records and other materials as the Arkansas State Archives deems advisable for historical purposes.
(2) Before destroying or discarding outdated records, other than ephemeral materials, each officer shall advise the Arkansas State Archives in writing of his or her intentions, and records that have a historical value, as determined by the director, shall be given to the Arkansas State Archives.