(a) shall determine policy for providing library and information services to state government, South Carolina libraries, and the citizens of the State;

(b) shall develop and adopt long range plans for the continued improvement of library services in the State;

(c) shall prescribe standards of service for South Carolina libraries as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter;

(d) shall administer and distribute state and federal funds or grants from public and private sources in accordance with law and board regulations to county, state institutional, and other libraries in the State;

(e) shall promulgate regulations necessary for carrying out the provisions of this chapter;

(f) is authorized to enter into contracts with any person or governmental entity to provide, extend, improve, or coordinate library services or to demonstrate appropriate programs of library services;

(g) is authorized to enter into interstate library compacts on behalf of the State for the purpose of improving library services to the citizens of the State;

(h) shall recommend legislation to the members of the General Assembly to achieve effective statewide library development;

(i) shall represent library interests and needs before state and local officials and the legislature in order to obtain the financial support necessary to provide quality library service;

(j) shall foster public awareness of the conditions of libraries in South Carolina and of methods to improve library services to the citizens of the State.