Biographical Information

David Harmeyer lives in Glendora California and is Chair of the Marshburn Memorial Library and Associate Professor at Azusa Pacific University. He has done research in improving inquirer satisfaction and the roles of virtual reference librarians.

Educational Background

Harmeyer has earned multiple degrees beginning with a B.S. in Animal Science from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 1980. He then went on to Talbot Theological Seminary at Biola University, earning a M.A. in Theological Studies in 1986. Next, in 1993, he completed the Master of Library Science program at the University of California, Los Angeles. He accomplished his third M.A. in Pastoral Studies at the International School of Theology in 1996. Most recently, he earned his Ed.D. in Educational Technology from Pepperdine University for which he was awarded the 2006 Doctoral Dissertation Scholarship by Beta Phi Mu.

Professional Accomplishments

In 1994 Harmeyer started his career in librarianship as the Library Director of the International School of Theology in San Bernadino. In 1997 he began employment at Azusa Pacific University (APU) as Librarian at William V. Marshburn Memorial Library. Since his time at APU he has acted as Library Chair (1999-present) and University Progam Review Committee Chair of the Graduate Studies Council (1999-2002). His professional affiliations include the Association of College & Research Libraries, the American Library Association, the Institute of 21st Century Librarianship, and the California Academic & Research Libraries.

Contributions to Reference Librarianship

Harmeyer is relatively new to the profession, but has already shown promise in researching the ever evolving technology used in reference librarianship, such as virtual reference services. In 2005 he presented at the Seventh Annual Virtual Reference Desk Conference in San Fransisco. His talk was titled "Exemplary reference: A statistical analysis of RUSA (Reference & User Services Association) guidelines and non-RUSA factors contributing to a successful virtual reference interview."

Another contribution to reference librarianship was Harmeyer's extensive dissertation entitled "Online Virtual Chat Library Reference Service: A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis." Harmeyer evaluated online chat reference accuracy using content analysis of reference chat transcriptions of virtual librarians. According to his preliminary software research (University of Alabama, L-Soft LISTSERV, 2004), the three key questions he sought to answer were:

• To what extent do virtual chat reference transactions follow the Reference & User Services Association's (RUSA) behavioral guidelines in relationship to face-to-face reference intermediation research?
• What is the accuracy of librarian responses for virtual chat reference transactions?
• What practices emerge from reference chat transcript analysis that are similar and different then face-to-face reference intermediation?

The research consisted of 333 transcriptions from 120 virtual librarians at 43 academic institutions in the United States. Harmeyer assessted the transcripts based on the following criteria: interest, approachability, question negotiation (listening/inquiring), and type of question.

Harmeyer's findings lead him to suggest that "a conceptual model of best practices for online chat reference for answer accuracy can be built on an eight-point rubric" (D. Harmeyer, personal communication, November 22, 2006).

These are the eight points*:

• Keep short gaps between chat responses.
• Maintain a short transaction time.
• Type less not more
• Expect to type twice as much as patrons
• Do not as open-ended questions unless explicitly called for.
• Closed or clarifying questions are preferred.
• Ask the follow-up question.
• Know that moderately easy questions can decrease accuracy.

Keeping these points in mind, Harmeyer believes virtual librarians will have higher success rates in user satisfaction.

*For a more detailed explanation of each of Harmeyer's eight points, see his description.

Publications

• Harmeyer, D. (2001). JESUS film Bible study: A small group study on the life of Jesus . San Bernadino: Campus Crusade for Christ.
• Harmeyer, D. (2001). Theological distance education: A librarian's perspective. Journal of Religious & Theological Information, 3(3/4), 69-86.
• Harmeyer, D. (2001). Theological distance education: A librarian's perspective in M. Stover (Ed.), Theological Librarians and the Internet: Implications for Practice, (pp. 69-86). New York: Haworth Press.
• Harmeyer, D. (1995). Potential collection development bias: Possible evidence on a controversial topic in California, College & Research Libraries, 52(2), 101-111.

Presentations (Selective)

• Harmeyer, D. (2005, November 15). "Exemplary reference: A statistical analysis of RUSA (Reference & User Services Associations)guidelines and non-RUSA factors contributing to a successful virtual reference interview." Paper presented at the meeting of the Seventh Annual Virtual Reference Desk Conference, San Francisco, CA.

• Harmeyer, D. (2005, November 6). "What's love got to do with It? An analysis of chat transcripts." Poster session presented at the California Library Association’s 107th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Pasadena, CA.

• Harmeyer, D. (2003, March). "Serving academic library users online locally, nationally & globally." Online workshop (four weeks) facilitated for the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities’ librarians and faculty.

• Harmeyer, D. (2001, November). "Five stimulating case studies in library management." Symposium conducted at the meeting of the California Academic Librarians in Management (CALM) – South, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA.

References

Azusa Pacific University. (2006). Dave Harmeyer - Faculty Profile - Azusa Pacific University. Retrieved Novemer 17, 2006, from http://www.apu.edu/library/information/facstaff/dharmeyer/

Beta Phi Mu. (2006). College of Information: Doctoral Dissertation Scholarship. Retrieved November 17, 2006, from http://ci.fsu.edu/go/virtual_host/beta_phi_mu_org/scholarships/2006_scholarships/doc_dissertation/

Universtiy of Alabama L-Soft LISTSERV. (2004). CONTENT Archives -- June 2004 (#4). Retrieved November 18, 2006, from http://bama.ua.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0406&L=content&T=0&P=419

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