The director shall:

Terms Used In North Dakota Code 55-02-01.2

  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49

1.    Collect artifacts, books, maps, charts, and other papers and materials illustrative of the history of this state in particular and of the west generally.

2.    Procure facts and statements relative to the history of the state so as to exhibit faithfully the antiquities and the past and present resources and conditions of this state.

3.    Purchase books to strengthen the society’s collections and any other books, maps, charts, microforms, photographs, and other materials to facilitate the investigation of historic, scientific, and literary subjects. The secretary of state and all other state departments and agencies including the colleges and universities shall furnish to the director at least one copy of each state publication produced by that agency.

4.    Catalog, index, and duplicate all of the collections of the society for the more convenient references of all persons who have occasion to consult the same.

5.    Prepare publications relating to the society as may be useful to the public. The society is responsible for the distribution and sale of the reports and shall account for the proceeds to the office of the budget.

6.    Keep the museum exhibition rooms in the North Dakota heritage center open to visitors at all reasonable hours on business days without fee, except that admission fees may be charged for leased exhibitions. Admission fees collected for a leased exhibition must be deposited in a special account in the special revolving fund established under section 55-02-04 and may be used only to pay the associated costs of the exhibition. Any admission fees collected in excess of the costs of a leased exhibition must be deposited in the state general fund.

7.    Organize, develop, and present educational materials and programs concerning the history of North Dakota for the use, information, and benefit of the public.

8.    Cooperate with historical societies and associations duly organized under the laws of the state; provide the historical societies and associations with publications, technical assistance, and advice; and administer a grant system to assist with the development and operation of the societies and associations.