“Fat in the Libraries” (Editorial, Feb. 24) misses the mark.

The vast majority of library retirees receive, on average, pensions of between $19,000 and $24,000. To single out these two individuals as representative of all retirees is misleading. With just over half of our total budget supported by public funding, we rely heavily on the generosity of private donors. In this economic downturn, more New Yorkers are turning to their libraries for help. Dismissing the importance of libraries is a disservice to the millions who rely on our free services and look to us as an anchor in their communities.

Paul LeClerc

President, The New York

Public Library, Manhattan