How implementation of bibliometric practice affects the role of academic libraries

This article discusses the potential consequences of implementing bibliometrics as an institutionalized practice in academic libraries. Results are reported from a survey distributed among academic libraries in Sweden with organized bibliometric activities. Incorporating bibliometric activities is seen as a way of redefining and widening of the role of the library. Implementation of bibliometric practice is motivated by ambitions to provide more complete services in the scholarly communication process, as well as to increase the visibility and status of libraries, not the least in relation to central university management. Underlying reasons are professional competencies such as metadata and bibliographic database management; and bibliometrics being strong within library and information science. Incorporating bibliometrics in academic libraries is also seen as a way of widening of the professional profile of librarianship. The new role should, however, also be considered from the viewpoint of potential changes in how academic libraries are perceived when incorporating a monitoring