This study focuses on the growth of the library automation market from 1981 to 1990. It draws on library automation data published annually in the Library Journal between 1981 and 1990. The data are used to examine: (1) the overall library system market trends based on the total and cumulative number of systems installed and revenue generated; (2) 10 individual vendors involved in selling automated library systems; and (3) the relationship between the new library system technology and the resulting implementation of this technology. The 10-year period can be viewed as the introductory phase of library systems. Growth in the number of systems sold and the amount of revenue generated increased through the period. By 1990, however, statistics showed that the number of systems sold increased dramatically, while revenues decreased, creating an environment for vendors to exit the market. The study of 10 individual vendors showed aggressive market competition. It was hypothesized that the introduction of new technology is reflected in an unusually large increase in system installations. The dramatic decrease in revenues in 1990 reflects the technology increase in personal computer computing power. The increase in library system sales can be related to the introduction of new technology to the automated library system market. Eight graphs displaying information about library market growth and revenues and vendor performance are appended. (Contains 27 references.) (KRN)