Abstract: Using social network analysis, this article investigates the employment mobility network of the first generation of LIS professionals and discusses the characteristics of their mobility in the context of national policies such as "graduation allocation". The study finds that during the initial employment mobility period, 220 out of 393 people had no turnover of units in their initial employment. Beijing and Hubei were the leading places for professional outflows, while Peking University and Wuhan University played key roles in supplying professionals. However, during the job change mobility period, the employment mobility of the first generation of LIS professionals has increased since the Reform and Opening Up. A large number of them relocated to the southern and southeastern coastal regions. Moreover, the graduation allocation system had a very important impact on the employment mobility of the first generation of LIS professionals. This article then suggests the possibility of constructing a system for the education of directed LIS professionals.

Key words: The first generation of library and information science (LIS) professionals, Mobility of researchers, Graduation allocation system, Social network analysis, Directed education