As used in this act:

    (a) "Department" means the department of history, arts, and libraries.

    (b) "Local board" means the board of trustees or directors that has as its primary purpose the supervision of a local public library, or that board contracting for library service, or, if such a board does not exist, the legislative body of the local government that maintains the public library.

    (c) "Local support" means funds from tax sources, gifts, endowments, penal fines, or other funds received from local sources, excluding state and federal aid as stated in this act.

    (d) "Public library" means a library that is lawfully established for free public purposes by 1 or more counties, cities, townships, villages, school districts, or other local governments or a combination thereof, or by a public or local act, the entire interests of which belong to the general public. Public library does not include a special library such as a professional, technical, or school library.

    (e) "Cooperative board" means the governing board of a cooperative library.

    (f) "Cooperative library" means the library or service center designated by a cooperative board to execute services established by a cooperative plan and provided to libraries participating in a cooperative.