The department shall (1) collect, catalog, and preserve an Alaska collection consisting of books, laws, pamphlets, periodicals, manuscripts, microreproductions, audiovisual materials, etc.;
(2) serve as a depository for state and federal historical publications concerning Alaska;
(3) acquire, catalog, and maintain private papers and manuscripts relative to Alaska which are adjudged worthy of preservation for reference and research purposes;
(4) perform other functions necessary to the operation of a historical library.