Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on three periods of library and information service (LIS) recruitment data collected over a six-year timeframe with the aim of developing a tool for indexing change in the recruitment and labour market for workers in the field. Design/methodology/approach – The recruitment data were collected in an Irish context over three distinct 12-month timeframes (1999, 2001-2002 and 2005). The two earlier annual sets of data have already been reported and discussed, and the most recent set (2005) is presented here. The data over the three timeframes are compared here, and a practical approach for collecting these data in an ongoing fashion is suggested. Findings – The article finds that although LIS positions have become less available in 2005 than in previous periods, that remuneration has increased at a rate of 16 per cent. Originality/value – The value of this approach and the data unearthed are discussed in the context of their value to senior managers and individuals with responsibility for recruitment and strategic human resource management in library and information service context.