New Application of Bibliometrics

This article presents the potential of bibliometrics as a more functional practice in public libraries. Bibliometrics laws and models are seen as a way of redefining and widening of the role of the library. The news applications of bibliometrics in library practice is motivated by ambitions to provide more complete services in public libraries, as well as to increase the visibility and status of libraries, not the least in relation to good management. The usage of Bibliometrics in public libraries is also seen as a way of widening of the professional profile of librarianship. The new applications should, however, also be considered from the viewpoint of potential changes in how libraries are perceived when using a monitoring function through bibliometric analyses of research performance in addition to traditional service oriented functions.