The claims, orders and demands of the trustees of any such law library when duly made and authenticated as above provided shall be filed with the county clerk and considered and disposed of by the treasurer of such county out of the library fund, of which full entry and record shall be kept as in other cases. Provided that no contracts shall be entered into for any fiscal year in excess of the amount received the preceding fiscal year from such fund and such surplus as may remain on hand for such preceding year. Provided further that in order to determine said amount or limitation during the first year that this act is made operative¹ in any county the amount to be contracted for shall not exceed the fund or amount which would have been raised under this act² had it been in operation the year preceding the time it becomes effective.