The Division of Libraries shall annually request proposals from eligible automated and networked integrated public library systems for Improvement Grants. The Division of Libraries, with the advice of the Delaware Council on Libraries, shall establish and publish criteria for reviewing, giving priority to and recommending projects for Improvement Grants. The Division of Libraries, upon receipt of a request for an Improvement Grant under this chapter, shall refer each proposal, determined by the Division of Libraries to be eligible, to the Office of Information Systems and the Delaware Council on Libraries for their comments. The Office of Information Systems and the Delaware Council on Libraries shall provide the Division of Libraries with comments on each proposal within 45 days of receipt of the proposal. The Delaware Division of Libraries, with the approval of the Secretary of State, may award annually the total funds appropriated for Improvement Grants under this chapter, to networked integrated public library systems to fund contracts for technology projects as defined in this chapter. For the purpose of this chapter, the Division of Libraries shall be considered a networked integrated library system that may apply directly to the Secretary of State for improvement grants that have statewide benefits. Such grants may be awarded with the advice of the Delaware Council on Libraries and shall not require a non-state share.