The commissioner of general services shall not permit any deeds, leases, abstracts of title, certificates of title or other instruments on file in the commissioner's office to be withdrawn or taken therefrom except in instances where it may be necessary to use them in connection with pending or threatened litigation affecting any of the lands, and then the attorney general and reporter may withdraw the papers temporarily from the office of the commissioner of general services for use in connection with such pending or threatened litigation, leaving a descriptive receipt therefor.