Whenever land records or instruments have been photographed, microphotographed or otherwise reproduced by electronic imaging or any other process approved by the Public Records Administrator, as permitted under section 1-16, and the reproduced images have been placed in conveniently accessible files, and adequate provision has been made for preserving, examining and using the same, and a copy or copies have been deposited for security storage in the State Library or in some other safe storage facility, as shall be required or approved by the Public Records Administrator, the town clerk may, with approval of the administrative head of the municipality and the Public Records Administrator, destroy the original land record books so reproduced; provided, no original book, record or document created prior to the year 1850 shall be destroyed without the express written approval of the State Librarian. When land records have been microphotographed or otherwise reproduced by a process approved by the Public Records Administrator and the originals have been destroyed as provided in this section, the reproduced images thus made shall be deemed to be the record for all purposes.