It shall be the duty of the county officials of the various counties of this Commonwealth to furnish, on application therefor, to the head of any department of the government of this Commonwealth, such information and copies of such records or documents contained in the respective offices of such county officials as in the opinion of such head of department may be necessary or pertinent to the work of his respective department; the official so furnishing information shall receive for his services in copying and forwarding the same such reasonable compensation as the Auditor General may determine, and be paid by the State Treasurer out of moneys not otherwise appropriated upon warrant from the Auditor General.