The James & Christine Laggis Wood Foundation
Ceiling of the Ika K. Naparstek Rotunda in the Ayer Library historic wing
The Ayer Library gratefully announces the establishment of the James and Christine Laggis Wood Foundation, a new $100,000 endowment established to provide perpetual annual support for the Library’s programs and special projects.
“We’re overwhelmed by the generosity of Christine and Jim,” says Library Director Luke Kirkland. “Over the last two years the Ayer Library has doubled the number of visitors, increased the number of programs sixfold, and quadrupled program attendance. This gift and hopefully others like it will help sustain this growth so we can continue providing top-notch library services to our community.”
The endowment will be managed by the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, a non-profit public charity that manages charitable funds established by individuals, families, businesses and other non-profit organizations. With the assistance of Director of Philanthropy Erin Thomason, Jim and Christine created a designated fund that will annually provide a 4.5% disbursement to the Ayer Library beginning in 2026. “We had no idea we could do something like this,” says Christine. “And we want other people to know they can too.”
As Christine tells the story: “It’s because of this Library that we’re able to do this.” Both grew up in Ayer. Jim studied engineering; Christine wanted to pursue a degree in law. But soon James enlisted in the Navy during the Vietnam War and Christine became the full-time caregiver to their two children. She brought them regularly to the Ayer Library to get books, and they would sit and read on the floor together. When other children and parents began gathering around them she pitched a weekly storytime to the librarian, and used the experience to build her resume while pursuing a master’s degree in media and libraries. Both fell in love with computers and pursued careers in technology. Jim became a math teacher, then Tyngsboro Public Schools’ Media Director. Christine introduced only the second automated catalog in the state as the leader of Ayer’s school libraries, then became Wellesley Public Schools’ Director of Libraries. They convinced their schools to invest in computers for their students. Both taught college courses on computer literacy, information gathering systems, and the Internet.
“I find their story and partnership so moving,” says Kirkland. “Jim and Christine exemplify what public libraries are here to support: early education, lifelong learning, career mobility, community building. That through-line is inspiring.”
The Ayer Library Board of Trustees have long seen what is possible with the support of neighboring libraries’ charitable foundations. The Groton Public Library Endowment Trust funds programming and more year-round, including Groton Reads, their annual community-wide reading event. In September Harvard Public Library held the grand opening of their new outdoor performance pavilion.
“We love our area libraries. But for too long we’ve heard people say we can’t do such-and-such because we don’t have the same resources,” says Board Chair Sue Kennedy. “Ayer loves its library and we’re growing something special here.”
For Kirkland too, this gift is just the beginning. “The Library is growing. Ayer is growing. Boston Globe Magazine named Ayer the top place to live west of Boston. We’re trying to make long-term plans to ensure Ayer Library is an even more transformative part of our patrons’ lives in the future. Gifts like these are going to be a huge part of setting us up for success.”
Interested in learning more about the James and Christine Laggis Wood Foundation, the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, or donating to the Ayer Library? Contact Ayer Library Director Luke Kirkland at lkirkland@cwmars.org.