It shall be the duty of the society to collect by gift, exchange or purchase books, maps, newspapers, pamphlets, periodicals, photographs, artifacts, relics, paintings, manuscripts and other papers and material illustrative of the history of Kansas in particular, and the west generally; to catalog the collections of the society for the more convenient reference of all persons who may have occasion to consult the same; to keep its collections arranged in suitable and convenient rooms, the rooms of the society to be open at all reasonable hours on business days and on Saturday mornings and during such other hours as may be prescribed by the secretary of administration for the reception of the citizens of this state who may wish to visit the same; to maintain museums in its buildings and in such other places as may be authorized; to inculcate through publications, museum extension services and other media a wider and fuller knowledge and appreciation of the history of Kansas and its significance, and specifically to publish a historical journal and such other historical materials as may be possible within the limitations of proceeds received therefor from membership income and, because it is in the best interest of the state of Kansas and its historical heritage to loan, in its discretion, for such periods and under such rules and restrictions as it may adopt, to libraries, educational institutions and other organizations such books, pamphlets, museum objects, or other materials that if lost or destroyed could easily and without much expense be replaced; to take an active interest in the preservation and use of noncurrent public records of historical importance of counties, cities, villages, towns, school districts and other local governmental units; to cause to be bound, as necessary for their preservation, the unbound books, pamphlets, clippings and newspaper files in its possession. No expenditure shall be made under this act or expense incurred except in pursuance of specific appropriations therefor, and no officer of the society shall pledge the credit of the state in excess of such appropriation.