Abstract

This study aims to investigate the perceptions of researchers and information professionals on scholarly journals and events hosted by the four primary associations for library and information science in Korea and to suggest improvements. The four associations include the Korean Society for Library and Information Science, the Korean Library and Information Science Society, the Korean Society for Information Management, and the Korean Biblia Society for Library and Information Science, and they co-funded this study. A total of six focus group interviews were conducted with 21 university professors, researchers, librarians, practitioners, and executive directors of associations who are actively engaged in research and academic activities. Findings presented, first, that the overall process of the journal article review and publishing needs to be improved to enhance the quality of the journals. Second, efforts should be made to increase the visibility of practice by increasing opportunities for information professionals to submit and publish manuscripts with findings from the field. Third, each journal can be specialized by differentiating the scope of journals, providing articles with findings in practice, and facilitating collaborations with scholars abroad or in other fields. To improve scholarly events, first, a large-scale academic conference can be held regularly, co-hosted by the four associations, promoting academic needs and social networking. Third, each association can specialize in academic events in collaboration with professional institutions and agencies. Fourth, the opportunities to participate in academic events should be increased for early-career researchers, practitioners, and graduate and undergraduate students.