The power of one The power of one The power of one

Life was anything but normal when school started at Bryant Elementary School this fall. A time that’s usually full of anticipation instead was tinged with sorrow and emptiness. The North Seattle school’s beloved librarian, Anne Aliverti, 57, had died on Aug. 14 after being hit by a car as she crossed the street.

Every blog and story referred to Aliverti—who was in the UW’s Library Media Endorsement program—as the heart of the school in the Ravenna-Bryant community. And not just because she was a talented teacher-librarian.

With her lively personality, enthusiasm and expertise in her field, Aliverti was always welcoming and embracing as she served her community of students and parents. It’s no surprise that the California native, who joined the staff at Bryant Elementary in 2010, oversaw a school library that in 2024-2025 had the second-highest circulation of books checked out in the entire Seattle Public Schools system.

A married mother of two, she always seemed to be in motion. If she wasn’t reading books to her students, she was mentoring up-and-coming teachers, hosting regular community book talks, and helping lead fundraising efforts to keep the library’s collection up to date. When her job was cut back to half-time due to budget reductions, you’d never know the difference. She was always on the job, always asking how she could help.

The UW is renowned for its impact on a large scale. Aliverti was a University alumna whose impact brightened life for her tight-knit community.

“Anne,” said her husband, Brent, “was a bright light with a huge community that loved her.”

Darcy Brixey, libraries services and instructional materials program manager for Seattle Public Schools, said “SPS libraries owe a debt of gratitude to Anne for her vision. She was a mentor to all and the kindest person. She will be greatly missed.” That is the definition of impact.

Jon Marmor is the editor of University of Washington Magazine.