Whenever, from age or wear, any of the record books in the custody and control of the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City shall be in danger of destruction or obliteration, it shall be the duty of the Clerk of the Circuit Court to have a photo copy or photostatic copy made of such record book. The copy shall have the same legal effect as the original record. After copying, the Clerk of Court shall offer the original record to the State Archivist and if it is refused by the Archivist, the Clerk may destroy the original record after making and sending a microfilm copy to the State Archivist. The Clerk may pay for the cost of such reproductions and microfilm copies out of the fees of the Clerk’s office, but if the fees are insufficient, the cost of this reproduction shall be paid by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore. P.L.L., 1888, §772 1915, §804 1927, §804 1930, §804 1938, §998 1949, §619 1969, §22-96 1886, ch. 289 1898, ch. 123, §804 1951, ch. 37 1986, ch. 345