Beyond the Stacks: The Strategic Role of Academic Libraries in Research Impact Assessment Utilizing SCImago Journal Rank (SJR)

Abstract

The worldwide emphasis on research assessment and accountability has increased the need for robust, nuanced approaches to scholarly impact. While bibliometric indicators like the SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) have become central to this landscape, their effective and ethical application requires specialized expertise. Academic libraries, traditionally custodians of information access, are strategically developing to become essential partners in research impact assessment. This paper argues that libraries play an essential, multifaceted role in supporting researchers and institutions to leverage SJR and complementary metrics. Through a conceptual analysis, we explore how libraries contribute through expert consultation, collection development informed by journal metrics, training and capacity building, and support for responsible metric use. We believe libraries serve as essential intermediaries, translating complex metric data into actionable intelligence, and advocate for context-rich, qualitative assessment alongside quantitative indicators like SJR. This role positions libraries not just as service points but also as strategic assets in institutional research excellence and evaluation strategies.