Abstract: Using the library and information science journals during 2003-2012 in CSSCI as data sources, the paper reveals the citation structure in these journals by applying social network analysis (SNA). Results shows that: 1) the journal knowledge transfer activity in library and information science is frequent, and the level of knowledge and discipline integration as well as knowledge gap influences knowledge transfer activity. According to the out-degree and in-degree, journals can be divided into three kinds; 2) based on professional and citation, the knowledge transfer network can be divided into four blocks. With the change of discipline capacity and knowledge gap among journals, the “core-periphery” structure of knowledge transfer network is getting weakened; 3) The blocks of knowledge transfer network evolve from “weak- weak” subgroup to “strong-weak” subgroup or “weak-strong” subgroup, and then move to “strong-strong” subgroup. Each block should manage itself well in order to form a good interaction knowledge transfer subgroup.

Key words: Library and Information Science, Journal cross-citation, Network structure, Knowledge transfer pattern