HANCOCK, Md. — The Washington County Free Library has received a $10,000 donation from the family of Ruth Ann Shives to enhance the children’s area at the Hancock War Memorial Library. Shives was a Hancock resident of more than 40 years and a devoted supporter of libraries.
Shives had a deep love of books and reading and regularly brought her children to Children’s Storytime at the Hancock branch. In honor of her commitment to literacy and library services, her family chose to support the children’s area with a meaningful and interactive addition that will benefit young visitors for years to come.
This gift will fund the installation of Pixel Pegs from Science Kinetics—a large-scale, modern take on the classic Lite-Brite. This colorful, hands-on feature invites children and families to create illuminated designs, encouraging creativity, collaboration and interactive play within the library space.
Library officials said they are deeply grateful to the Shives family for their generosity and support. Gifts like this play a vital role in strengthening library services and ensuring that welcoming, engaging spaces remain available for children and families in the community .
The public is invited to the library at 231 Hancock Veterans Parkway, on Wednesday, May 27, at 1 p.m. for the official ribbon cutting. For more information about the new children’s addition and other library services, please visit www.washcolibrary.org.









