Bibliometric practices and activities at the University of Vienna
| Pages | 174-183 |
| Published date | 17 February 2012 |
| Date | 17 February 2012 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435121211217199 |
| Author | Christian Gumpenberger,Martin Wieland,Juan Gorraiz |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Bibliometric practices and
activities at the University of
Vienna
Christian Gumpenberger, Martin Wieland and Juan Gorraiz
Library and Archive Services, Bibliometrics Department, University of Vienna,
Vienna, Austria
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe bibliometrics as an emergent field for academic
libraries. There is a constant need to adapt to the ongoing changes and new demands of today’s
information environment, and the increasing importance of bibliometrics certainly presents a great
opportunity for librarians to broaden their horizon.
Design/methodology/approach – The ideas outlined here are based on supporting information
derived from literature and on practical experience gained at the Vienna University Library, Austria.
A rationale is given why libraries should provide bibliometric services followed by a short overview of
how the Bibliometrics Department in Vienna came into being. The focus of the paper is set on a
detailed description of its practices and activities.
Findings – Bibliometrics is ideal for librarians to develop and provide innovative services for both
academic and administrative university staff. In doing so they make sure to actively participate in the
development of new strategies and in fostering innovation. Peer-review is increasingly complemented
by quantitative methods like bibliometrics, and librarians are predestined to fill this role and
strengthen their on-campus position. Furthermore bibliometrics is an emerging field in “Information
Science”, thus librarians should make use of their experiences gained from bibliometric services
provided or projects engaged in and disseminate their findings in the scientific community.
Practical implications – The case study of the Bibliometrics Department in Vienna can be useful
for other academic libraries who wish to become more engaged in this field or even plan to implement
according services.
Originality/value – This is an original paper, which has been presented at the QQML 2011 in
Athens. It provides useful information on how an academic library can adopt bibliometrics as a core
role.
Keywords Library and information science, Modernlibrarianship, Academic libraries,Bibliometrics,
Bibliometricservices, Scientometrics, Informationscience, University libraries,Vienna, Austria
Paper type Case study
1. Introduction
The first bibliometric analyses ever have been carried out by librarians (Cole and
Eales, 1917; Gross and Gross, 1927). As a new discipline of library and information
sciences, bibliometrics developed as a tool for measuring and monitoring scientific
output. This opened the door for new scopes of application, and bibliometrics
gradually transformed into scientometrics.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
This paper was originally presented at the QQML Conference in Athens, Greece between 24-27
May 2011.
LM
33,3
174
Received 25 August 2011
Accepted 15 October 2011
Library Management
Vol. 33 No. 3, 2012
pp. 174-183
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/01435121211217199
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